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Lebanon

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Lebanon. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Beirut

Head of State

Vacant

Head of Government

Prime Minister Najib Mikati

UN peacekeepers operating in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2025. The country has been one of several flashpoints in recent times. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Global tensions, funding crisis threaten peacekeeping missions, SIPRI warns

Alarm as peacekeeping deployments fall to lowest levels in at least 25 years.

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

22 May 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

20 May 2026 - 7:28AMvideocam

Middle East

Israel strikes kill at least 7 in Lebanon as Hezbollah denounces US-brokered talks

Despite a ceasefire, Israel continues to strike widely in southern Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah.

18 May 2026 - 10:09AM

An Israeli strike in Zebdin, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Drone strike sparks fire on edge of UAE nuclear power plant complex

UAE investigates the source of drone attack, as Trump warns the ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran.

18 May 2026 - 3:02PM

Middle East

Lebanon and Israel extend ceasefire despite new strikes

The US State Department will soon hold further negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement between the two countries.

16 May 2026 - 4:08AM

Middle East

US casts first day of Israel-Lebanon talks as ‘positive’

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon as officials hold high-stakes talks ahead of Sunday deadline.

15 May 2026 - 10:39AM

Flares fired by Israeli forces in Arnoun, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire

Hezbollah leader vows to turn battlefield into ‘hell’ as Lebanon and Israel get set for more talks in Washington.

13 May 2026 - 11:43AM

Middle East

Israeli soldiers jailed for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Viral photo shows an Israeli soldier with his arm around statue, holding a cigarette up to its mouth.

12 May 2026 - 12:22PM

Israel

Israel’s election may end the Netanyahu era but not the ‘forever wars’

After nearly two decades and six terms in office, Israel’s prime minister could be on his way out. But little looks likely to change.

11 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Israelis protest against the war with Iran and Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on May 2. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Playing games’: Trump calls Iran’s response to US peace proposal ‘unacceptable’

Both sides remain far apart as Tehran demands war reparations and control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran state TV.

11 May 2026 - 10:57AM

The USS Rafael Peralta enforcing a US maritime blockade on April 24. Photo: US Navy via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

9 May 2026 - 4:56AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

Trump reiterated that Iran ‘cannot have a nuclear weapon’ as both sides combined military pressure with diplomatic efforts to end deadlock.

7 May 2026 - 4:29AMvideocam

Middle East

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire

The first aerial attack on the capital since April kills a senior Hezbollah commander.

7 May 2026 - 10:47AM

First responders in the Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik on Wednesday after an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

4 May 2026 - 10:30PM

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

4 May 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations

US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.

2 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Hezbollah’s cheap drones pose challenge for Israel – like ‘children’s toys’

The militant group is using devices linked to their launch site by a thin fibre-optic cable that can stretch for dozens of kilometres.

2 May 2026 - 2:48PM

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region on April 11. Photo: AFP

Brics

Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount

With Brics members Iran and the UAE as belligerents, the bloc has failed to reach a common position on the Middle East conflict.

30 Apr 2026 - 7:49PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade is war by another name and must end. Two other things must change for the Iran ceasefire to become genuine diplomacy.

29 Apr 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Middle East

Lebanese minister backs Hezbollah disarmament, but warns it will take time

Haneen Sayed in Washington says the process must be gradual as a ceasefire continues to be marred by deadly violations.

28 Apr 2026 - 5:39PM

Smoke rises following explosions in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Lebanon reports bloodiest day since ceasefire as Israel targets Hezbollah

Ceasefire has reduced but not stopped attacks, as Hezbollah vows to keep fighting Israeli troops in Lebanon.

27 Apr 2026 - 9:32AM

An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

New Israeli strikes reported in Lebanon after Netanyahu orders attacks

The Israeli army has accused Hezbollah militants of breaching the recently extended ceasefire between the two countries.

26 Apr 2026 - 6:16AM

Israel-Gaza war

Palestinians bury pregnant woman and 2 of her children killed in Gaza

The woman – who was expecting twins – and the children, aged 4 and 13, were among at least 13 to die during the latest truce air strikes.

25 Apr 2026 - 10:57PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 3 weeks

The US president says he sees ‘great chance’ of a peace deal between the two countries this year after White House talks went ‘very well’.

24 Apr 2026 - 4:38PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump holds a briefing in the Oval Office at the White House about the ceasefire extension. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

23 Apr 2026 - 3:41PM

Destroyed houses in the southern Lebanon village of Beit Lif. Photo: Xinhua

France

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:48PM

Weddings

Meet Claudia Doumit, who just married her The Boys co-star Jack Quaid

The Scandal and New Girl actress wed the actor – whose parents are Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid – in a star-studded ceremony in her native Australia.

22 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

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Lebanon

Global tensions, funding crisis threaten peacekeeping missions, SIPRI warns

Alarm as peacekeeping deployments fall to lowest levels in at least 25 years.

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

Israel strikes kill at least 7 in Lebanon as Hezbollah denounces US-brokered talks

Despite a ceasefire, Israel continues to strike widely in southern Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah.

Drone strike sparks fire on edge of UAE nuclear power plant complex

UAE investigates the source of drone attack, as Trump warns the ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran.

Lebanon and Israel extend ceasefire despite new strikes

The US State Department will soon hold further negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement between the two countries.

US casts first day of Israel-Lebanon talks as ‘positive’

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon as officials hold high-stakes talks ahead of Sunday deadline.

Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire

Hezbollah leader vows to turn battlefield into ‘hell’ as Lebanon and Israel get set for more talks in Washington.

Israeli soldiers jailed for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Viral photo shows an Israeli soldier with his arm around statue, holding a cigarette up to its mouth.

Israel’s election may end the Netanyahu era but not the ‘forever wars’

After nearly two decades and six terms in office, Israel’s prime minister could be on his way out. But little looks likely to change.

‘Playing games’: Trump calls Iran’s response to US peace proposal ‘unacceptable’

Both sides remain far apart as Tehran demands war reparations and control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran state TV.

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

Trump reiterated that Iran ‘cannot have a nuclear weapon’ as both sides combined military pressure with diplomatic efforts to end deadlock.

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire

The first aerial attack on the capital since April kills a senior Hezbollah commander.

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations

US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.

Hezbollah’s cheap drones pose challenge for Israel – like ‘children’s toys’

The militant group is using devices linked to their launch site by a thin fibre-optic cable that can stretch for dozens of kilometres.

Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount

With Brics members Iran and the UAE as belligerents, the bloc has failed to reach a common position on the Middle East conflict.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade is war by another name and must end. Two other things must change for the Iran ceasefire to become genuine diplomacy.

Lebanese minister backs Hezbollah disarmament, but warns it will take time

Haneen Sayed in Washington says the process must be gradual as a ceasefire continues to be marred by deadly violations.

Lebanon reports bloodiest day since ceasefire as Israel targets Hezbollah

Ceasefire has reduced but not stopped attacks, as Hezbollah vows to keep fighting Israeli troops in Lebanon.

New Israeli strikes reported in Lebanon after Netanyahu orders attacks

The Israeli army has accused Hezbollah militants of breaching the recently extended ceasefire between the two countries.

Palestinians bury pregnant woman and 2 of her children killed in Gaza

The woman – who was expecting twins – and the children, aged 4 and 13, were among at least 13 to die during the latest truce air strikes.

Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 3 weeks

The US president says he sees ‘great chance’ of a peace deal between the two countries this year after White House talks went ‘very well’.

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

Meet Claudia Doumit, who just married her The Boys co-star Jack Quaid

The Scandal and New Girl actress wed the actor – whose parents are Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid – in a star-studded ceremony in her native Australia.

Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz