Lebanese News and Updates
The Association of Banks confirmed in its meeting that it will continue the strike (ATM machines will remain functional), adding that it will issue a statement at a later time. It is, however, rumored that the strike is nearing its end.
The Association of Banks announced that their strike will persist and all banks will remain closed until further notice.
They asserted that the rumors saying their strike will end soon are completely false.
They asserted that the rumors saying their strike will end soon are completely false.
👎1
🚨 Israel approved law to deport Arab citizens or residents if ‘terror’
The Knesset in an overwhelming vote (94 to 10) has allowed the government to revoke citizenship & residency from convicts of “terror, aiding terror, harming sovereignty” whose families receive funding from the Palestinian Authority—making the law inapplicable to Jewish terrorists.
The Times of Israel says the bill was sponsored by MK Ofir Katz (Likud) and opposition’s right-wing and center-left lawmakers. It allows to revoke citizenship even if it makes Arab citizens stateless, provided they have a residence status outside of Israel—e.g. in the West Bank.
Legal experts told Middle East Eye the policy amounts to a war crime. It notably affects the situation of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.
The Knesset in an overwhelming vote (94 to 10) has allowed the government to revoke citizenship & residency from convicts of “terror, aiding terror, harming sovereignty” whose families receive funding from the Palestinian Authority—making the law inapplicable to Jewish terrorists.
The Times of Israel says the bill was sponsored by MK Ofir Katz (Likud) and opposition’s right-wing and center-left lawmakers. It allows to revoke citizenship even if it makes Arab citizens stateless, provided they have a residence status outside of Israel—e.g. in the West Bank.
Legal experts told Middle East Eye the policy amounts to a war crime. It notably affects the situation of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.
👍15👎15
Representatives of the Ministry of Economy discovered 160 Kg of spoiled meat in a butcher shop in Deir Qanoun Ras Al-Ain, Tyre. At the order of Public Prosecutor in the South Judge Raheef Ramadan, the butcher was arrested by security forces and his shop was sealed with red wax.
😐13👍5👎1
In an unprecedented surge, the dollar exchange rate has surpassed 80,000 LBP/USD. That's just over a 10,000 LBP increase from only two days ago, even with sharp fluctuations.
😐9👍3
⋯ Al-Akhbar, quoting sources close to Mikati: “BDL has lost control of the market, and it may be difficult to reset things unless a major political move takes place.”
Mikati however denied the statement, saying that efforts to address the financial situation are still ongoing.
Mikati however denied the statement, saying that efforts to address the financial situation are still ongoing.
👀3
In the face of a worsening economic crisis and the ongoing banking sector strike, protesters in Badaro, Beirut, stormed or set fire to at least 5 different banks or their ATMs.
Others took to burning tires in front of the house of chair of the Association of Banks, Salim Sfier.
Others took to burning tires in front of the house of chair of the Association of Banks, Salim Sfier.
👀4👎2
⋯ Footage of the bank burning and storming incidents in Badaro, Beirut. The protests were organized by the Depositors’ Outcry Association, who organized Sali Hafez's bank raid last September.
The banks that were targeted include Fransabank, Bank Audi, Byblos Bank, CreditBank, and BBAC.
The banks that were targeted include Fransabank, Bank Audi, Byblos Bank, CreditBank, and BBAC.
👍4
⋯ Footage of the protesters in front of Association of Banks chair Salim Sfier's residence in Horsh Tabet, Sin El Fil.
The Lebanese Army arrived shortly afterwards to calm the situation.
The Lebanese Army arrived shortly afterwards to calm the situation.
😐3
⋯ Meanwhile, the Beirut Fire Brigade worked to put out the fires after the protesters dispersed.
👍6
Lebanese News and Updates
The Secretary General of Hezbullah, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, will speak next Thursday, 2/16/2023 at 15:00, at the “Martyrdom and Victory” festival on the occasion of the anniversary of the martyred leaders.
His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech for the “Martyrdom and Victory” commemoration started moments ago.
👍25👎8👀1
US embassy denied rumor that Central Bank is covering Hezbullah
A rumor has circulated that the USA has accused Central Banker Riad Salameh of protecting Hezbullah, and is ready to impose sanctions on him. It was spread yesterday (15 Feb) by Al-Hadath and then Al-Arabiya, both being Saudi news networks. The US embassy denied the rumor this morning to LBCI.
In reality, Salameh is protected by the Americans—in spite of the EU & Lebanon's investigations for corruption. Outgoing US Ambassador Dorothy Shea pressured PM Mikati to block the subpoena against him. In 2021, US State Department's David Hale said he “hasn't seen any evidence” of corruption. Rather, Salameh has sought to close Hezbullah's non-profit bank Qard Al-Hasan for not belonging to the official banking system.
A rumor has circulated that the USA has accused Central Banker Riad Salameh of protecting Hezbullah, and is ready to impose sanctions on him. It was spread yesterday (15 Feb) by Al-Hadath and then Al-Arabiya, both being Saudi news networks. The US embassy denied the rumor this morning to LBCI.
In reality, Salameh is protected by the Americans—in spite of the EU & Lebanon's investigations for corruption. Outgoing US Ambassador Dorothy Shea pressured PM Mikati to block the subpoena against him. In 2021, US State Department's David Hale said he “hasn't seen any evidence” of corruption. Rather, Salameh has sought to close Hezbullah's non-profit bank Qard Al-Hasan for not belonging to the official banking system.
👍4
Forty minutes ago, an earthquake occurred in southern Turkey, with a magnitude of 5.2 (earthquake.usgs.gov) or 4.7 (Euro-Mediterranean Monitoring Center). It could be felt in Lebanon.
😐4💔2👍1