Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati meets with by President Michel Aoun in Baabda. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
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Najib Mikati said he had made “some progress, albeit slow” in cabinet formation talks with Michel Aoun. The pair’s fifth meeting since Mikati was appointed to form a government was “hopeful,” the premier-designate said afterward, in contrast with Monday’s talks, after which he complained that the president’s schedule was slowing a deal. Mikati is the third premier-designate in a row to deal with Aoun, who must also sign off on any government, after two others gave up. The billionaire MP said he would meet with the president again today. On Sunday, Lebanon will break its record for the longest period without a fully empowered government, clocking in at 363 days.
Senior Lebanese and Israeli military officials held an exceptional tripartite meeting under the auspices of the United Nations’ UNIFIL peacekeeping force Thursday to discuss the escalation of tensions on the border. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials called for international intervention to halt “Israeli aggression” following airstrikes in south Lebanon. Hassan Diab asked the caretaker foreign minister Thursday to submit an “urgent complaint” to the UN Security Council. Israel launched two airstrikes overnight Thursday: one in the Tahrir bridge road in Dimashqiya, Marjayoun, and the other north of the Rashidieh Palestinian camp in Tyre, the Lebanese Army said in a statement. No casualties were reported, a Lebanese Army spokesperson told L'Orient Today. At Thursday’s tripartite meeting, UNIFIL Commander Major General Stefano Del Col urged the parties to de-escalate tensions and commit to UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanisms, the UN agency said in a statement. Hezbollah has so far not issued a statement or responded to requests for comment.
The price of some fuel products dropped slightly yesterday, after a string of increases that has seen the price of fuel soar by about 50 percent since the beginning of the year. Twenty liters of 98-octane gas decreased by LL100 to LL77,700, and the same quantity diesel fell by LL400 to LL57,100. However, the price of a tank of household gas was increased by LL3,000 to LL56,600, and the price of 95-octane gas has remained unchanged. This comes after a string of increases as Banque du Liban has partially removed fuel subsidies. On June 25, the central bank started fully financing fuel imports at an exchange rate of LL3,900 per greenback instead of covering 90 percent of the cost of imports at the official LL1,507.5 peg. However, despite hiking fuel prices, supply shortages have persisted. Some owners of private generators across the country stopped providing power, and bakery owners in the north warned Tuesday that some bakeries are in danger of closing down due to shortages of diesel to run generators.
The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs, and Patisseries announced that it will organize vaccine marathons to vaccinate the sector’s staff. “We are encouraging all employees and staff working in the tourism sector, who are aged 30 and older to go ahead and use the walk-in process, and employees who are younger will officially have a designated vaccine marathon which will be announced next week,” Petra Khoury, the head of the Lebanese Vaccine Executive Committee, told L’Orient Today. To date, 25.9 percent of the population is partially vaccinated and 20.4 percent is fully vaccinated. In an effort to further amplify the vaccination program, Arwan Pharmaceutical Industries has finalized an agreement with the Russian authorities and will “soon'' start producing the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine, MP Bilal Abdallah said.
Wildfires near areas in northern Lebanon continue to blaze amid a heatwave and strong winds. According to the state news agency, more than 140 hectares of woodland have been destroyed by the flames in the region. The flames, which started at 700 meters in altitude, have already spread to places more than 1,700 meters above sea level, including the Ras Qanzouh area, which is located on the edge of a cedar forest. Two army helicopters, as well as Civil Defense crews, have been dispatched to assist in putting out the fires. Since last week, wildfires have ravaged parts of northern Lebanon, extending across the border to Syria and killing a 15-year-old who was assisting with firefighting operations. George Abou Moussa, the head of operations at Civil Defense, described the fires as some of the worst to have hit the country.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah will deliver a televised address at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of the group’s victory over Israel during the 2006 war.
On Monday, Lebanon observes the Hijri New Year, the start of the Islamic calendar year. Government offices and banks will close.
The Morning Brief will go on hiatus for the Hijri New Year, returning Tuesday, Aug. 10, with everything you need to know to start your week.