Agence France Presse
Latest stories
France charges HSBC in Riad Salameh case

The Swiss subsidiary of British bank HSBC has been charged in France as part of an embezzlement probe into former Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh, the financial crimes prosecutor's office said Thursday.

W140 Full Story
North Israel residents hold little hope for Lebanon truce deal

Despite living just 300 meters from the border wall separating Israel from Lebanon, Sigalit Levin has little enthusiasm for the new ceasefire deal meant to bring a lasting end to fighting with Hezbollah.

W140 Full Story
The 'pilot zones' and the plan for a Lebanon ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire that would require Hezbollah to stop firing, withdraw from near the border and would see Lebanon's army deploy in new "pilot zones" in the area.

The Iran-backed group has rejected the proposed arrangement, instead demanding a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.

W140 Full Story
France throws weight behind Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that France backed the ceasefire in Lebanon after the announcement of an agreement in Washington.

The French head of state told reporters on a visit to Montenegro: "We support the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and everything that helps restore peace, combat terrorist activities, and fully establish Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

W140 Full Story
Hezbollah official says group told authorities it rejects proposed truce with Israel

A Hezbollah official told AFP on Thursday that the group had informed Lebanese authorities that it rejects a ceasefire announced after Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington a day earlier.

The official said on condition of anonymity that the position, which was announced by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem in a televised message, was passed on "to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri," a Hezbollah ally acting as an intermediary who "shares this position."

W140 Full Story
Salam says army to start deploying in 'pilot zones' in south

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Thursday that the army would begin deploying in "pilot zones" in the country's south, a day after Israel and Lebanon agreed in Washington to implement a ceasefire.

"The next step is practical and tangible: the deployment of the Lebanese army in pilot zones as a first phase," Salam said, according to remarks read out by Information Minister Paul Morcos after a cabinet meeting, adding that "this does not prejudice our right to a full (Israeli) withdrawal, but brings us closer to it."

W140 Full Story
EU signs off on new 100-million-euro in support for Lebanese Army

The European Union signed off Thursday on a new 100-million-euro ($116 million) support package for the Lebanese Army, as it seeks to bolster the military amid a fragile ceasefire in the country.

"The latest ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon offers a chance to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas posted online.

W140 Full Story
Aoun says deal announced in Washington 'last chance' for comprehensive Israel truce

President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that an agreement on implementing a ceasefire announced in Washington after talks with Israel was the "last chance" to reach a comprehensive truce.

Envoys from Israel and Lebanon held a fourth round of U.S.-brokered talks in Washington on Wednesday, agreeing to implement a ceasefire hinged on Hezbollah halting its attacks.

W140 Full Story
Iran's Guards say Israel must withdraw to pre-war positions in Lebanon

The head of the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, said Thursday that Israel must pull back from its current front lines in Lebanon, where it is fighting Tehran's ally Hezbollah.

"Supporting the resistance in Lebanon is the duty of all of us, and removing Israel from the region is an attainable goal for Muslims," Esmail Qaani said in a post on a domestic social media platform. "The minimum demand of the resistance is the withdrawal of the usurping regime (Israel) to the position it held before the start of the 40-day war."

W140 Full Story
UN force says peacekeeper killed in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said Thursday that a peacekeeper was killed and two others wounded when shelling hit their base in the country's south the previous night.

"A UNIFIL peacekeeper died early this morning from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position," a statement from the force said, adding that an investigation had been launched.

W140 Full Story