Lebanon

BEIRUT, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has allocated 3.7 million euros (4 million U.S. dollars) to fund 2Circular, a project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to support the green and circular economy in Lebanon.

A statement released by UNIDO on Friday said that "the 2Circular project aims to partner with over 50 food and beverage companies to create momentum for green and circular production in Lebanon."

BEIRUT (AP) — Carlos Ghosn said Friday that the $1 billion lawsuit he recently filed against Nissan and others is just the beginning of his fight.

The former Nissan CEO said during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut that had he been an American citizen filing a lawsuit in the United States, “I would not be asking for $1 billion, but for much more,” given his suffering.

BEIRUT, Jun 22 (NNN-NNA) – The Port of Tripoli in Lebanon and the Port of Dunkerque in France, have signed a two-year cooperation agreement, to enhance economic and trade exchanges, it was reported today.

The agreement includes cooperation in infrastructure, port service, information exchange, personnel training, and others between the two ports.

The agreement extends over two years and can be renewed later, on condition both parties cooperate “sincerely and actively” in implementing the deal in their interest, the report added.

BEIRUT (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said Tuesday that without a new injection of funding, it is “likely or highly likely” that the agency will not be able to deliver some services or pay salaries by the fall.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said at a press conference in Beirut that the agency responsible for services to Palestinian refugees has been facing a shortfall of $150 million to $200 million annually in recent years.

14 June 2023; MEMO: Lebanese lawmakers failed, on Wednesday, for the 12th time to elect a new president, Anadolu Agency reports.

Lawmakers cast ballots to elect between Hezbollah-backed candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, and his competitors, Jihad Azour and Ziad Baroud.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese lawmakers failed Wednesday in yet another attempt to elect a president and break a seven-month power vacuum that has roiled the tiny Mediterranean country. The ongoing political chaos has blocked progress on a solution to an intensifying economic crisis.

The session — the twelfth try to pick a president — broke down after the bloc led by the powerful political party and militant group Hezbollah withdrew following the first round of voting, breaking the quorum in the 128-member house. All lawmakers attended the session.

13 June 2023; MEMO: Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, said Tuesday that his government will not be able to pay salaries to civil servants by the end of June, Anadolu Agency reports.

"The government will not be able to pay salaries if Parliament does not approve additional appropriations for wages," Mikati said in a statement following a Cabinet meeting.

12 June 2023; MEMO: Deputy Secretary-General of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has affirmed the group's support for the head of the Marada Movement, Suleiman Franjieh, to become Lebanon's next president.

13 June 2023; MEMO: The Iran-backed Hezbollah and its closest allies are set to torpedo an attempt by rivals to elect a senior IMF official as Lebanese president this week, in a tussle that underlines its decisive sway and the dim prospects for reviving the crumbling state.

13 June 2023; MEMO: Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Monday for the UN peacekeeping forces in his country to put pressure on Israel to stop its violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, and stop its ongoing groundworks using armoured bulldozers within Lebanese territory.