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Tag: Lebanon

  • Central bank governor to end term without successor

    Central bank governor to end term without successor

    Lebanon’s veteran central bank governor, Riad Salameh, is set to end his term on Monday without a successor.

    Salameh, 73, who has been in the post since 1993, was seen inside the central bank waving at some employees who had gathered to bid him farewell, local media reported.

    Salameh, whose term officially ends at midnight (2200 GMT) on Monday, is under investigation in Germany and various other European countries as well as in Lebanon for several suspected financial crimes.

    The governors along with the ruling political class in the country have been blamed for the country’s worst economic crisis.

    The government has so far failed to name a successor due to the deep differences within the political class.

    The World Bank has described Lebanon’s economic crisis, which started in 2019, as among the most severe in the world since the mid-1800s.

    Since 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost more than 95 per cent of its value.

    Under Lebanese law, Salameh would be replaced temporarily by the central bank’s first vice-governor, Wassim Mansouri, until a new successor is named.

    Mansouri vowed in a press conference that he would not sign off on any expenditure for financing the government if it contravenes with his principles or the appropriate legal framework.

    “Parliament should pass a law allowing the central bank to lend to the government, and the government should pay back the loans through a realistic plan,” he said.

    Lebanese lawmakers have failed in several attempts to elect a head of state for the crisis-hit country, amid deep divisions between politicians loyal to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movements and their rivals.

  • Stray Dog found carrying newborn baby in trash bag

    Stray Dog found carrying newborn baby in trash bag

    Stray dog was found carrying a newborn baby girl in a trash bag through the streets of Tripoli, in Lebanon on Wednesday, sparking shock across the impoverished nation.

    A passerby saw the dog carrying the bag and heard a baby’s cries. He managed to take the bag from the dog and found the child inside. The infant, who had bruises all over her body, was taken to the Islamic Charity Hospital, then transferred to the Tripoli Governmental Hospital after security services and judicial authorities were informed.

    The baby is believed to be only a few hours old.

    But it is not known exactly when she was abandoned. Her condition was described as serious but stable – the hospital declined to provide any further information.

    Ghassan Rifi, a journalist in Tripoli, said he had never seen an incident as disturbing as this in the city during his career.

    “Usually, when someone wants to give up their kids, they place them in front of an orphanage or a police station,’ he said.

    “However, this baby was dumped in an area that is considered very dangerous at night, as a lot of stray dogs can be found. The municipality had previously tried to poison these dogs but animal welfare organisations refused and called for their protection.”

    The area in which the baby was found, said Rifi, is not residential but is close to Al-Tal neighborhood. As the story spread on social media, so too did speculation about who might have abandoned the baby.

    “Is it possible that whoever dumped her wanted to get rid of her by letting the dogs eat her in this area infested with stray dogs, and that she was saved by that man who happened to be there by chance?” Rifi said.

    Authorities are investigating. When the girl recovers, if no one offers to adopt her she will be placed in an orphanage after the public prosecutor is informed.

    Abdulrahman Darwish, a representative in Tripoli of the Union of Relief and Development Associations, said that he does not believe the incident had anything to do with the Syrian refugee community in Lebanon.

    “Over nine years, we haven’t witnessed any incident like this in the Syrian refugee camps,” he said. “I also don’t think that what happened is the result of the dire economic situation, as everyone is suffering from the crisis but no one has ever dumped their newborn on a street full of stray dogs.”

    Five years ago, a newborn was abandoned at a public park in Tripoli during the summer, Darwish said.

    “When the baby was found, witnesses gave investigators the description of a woman who was holding a baby at the park,” he added.

    “It appeared that she was a prostitute and the baby was the result of an illegal relationship. She was arrested several times and whenever she was out of jail, she would resume her trade. She was forced to take care of her kid.”

    The discovery of the baby came just days after reports of the physical abuse of children at a daycare center in Mount Lebanon prompted anger across the country. The incident came to light after a cleaner at the facility filmed examples of the abuse and passed the videos to parents of the children. Arrest warrants were issued for the owner of the business and an employee.

  • Israel launches airstrike on Gaza, Lebanon

    Israel launches airstrike on Gaza, Lebanon

    The Israeli military has launched airstrikes on Lebanon early Friday morning.

    Loud blasts rocked different areas of Gaza, as Israel said its jets hit 10 targets including tunnels and weapons manufacturing and development sites of Hamas, which controls the blockaded southern coastal strip.

    The military said the attacks were a response to a barrage of 34 rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Thursday, which it blamed on Hamas.

    Tensions are high following two nights of Israeli police raids at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem earlier this week.

    The raids triggered violent confrontations with Palestinians inside the mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam, and caused anger across the region.

    The development has further escalated violence at Jerusalem holy site this week.

    The Israeli military was yet to provide information about its intended targets in Lebanon. It however said it targeted tunnels and weapon sites in the Gaza Strip.

    The current wave of violence started Wednesday during an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem’s Old City, where some worshipers gathered.

    However, a member of Lebanon’s Civil Defense at the scene on Friday morning said there were no casualties.

    In its reaction to the airstrikes in Lebanon,  the U.S. State Department condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanon and earlier strikes from Gaza and said Israel had the right to defend itself.

  • The righteous cedars of Lebanon – By Femi Aribisala

    The righteous cedars of Lebanon – By Femi Aribisala

    “A spiritual cedar is not recognised or admired in the world”.

    Nicodemus was a Bible teacher of the Jews. But when he saw the manifestation of the spirit and power of God in the ministry of Jesus, he came to Jesus in secret to broaden his knowledge about the kingdom of God.

    But then Jesus gave him a prerequisite that turned his theology upside down. He told him that for him to see the kingdom of God, he would have to be “born again.”

    Nicodemus was flabbergasted. He wondered how an old man like himself could be “born again.” Does he have to go back into his mother’s womb and be born a second time? (John 3:4).  

    But Jesus wondered how Nicodemus could be the pastor of a church, and yet find it so difficult to understand simple biblical principles:

    “Jesus replied, ‘You, a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you do not understand these things? I am telling you what I know and have seen– and yet you won’t believe me. But if you do not even believe me when I tell you about such things as these that happen here among men, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven?’” (John 3:10-12).

    The principles of the kingdom of God are Greek to many highfalutin Christians. Even when the inspired go to lengths to dissect these principles, many refuse to believe because it does not agree with their hopes and aspirations. They became pastors because they want to be mighty oaks. They do not want to be despised and rejected by men. (Isaiah 53:3).

    When I shared with an interactive study group that it is not the will of God for the believer to be great in this world (Jeremiah 45:5), one of our members gently drew my attention to an Old Testament scripture that seems to say the very opposite: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12).

    Here was proof text that the believer is destined to be great and exceptional in the world. Indeed, the very fact that it would do so against the odds would testify to the power of God. That which is impossible is surely not impossible with God, she insisted.

    But when we read Old Testament scriptures today, we must not be blinkered like the Jews. Paul observes that: “Their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

    If we read Psalm 92:12 with a veil over our hearts, we would be frustrated to death, waiting indefinitely to flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. But we must read such scriptures with a new heart and a renewed spirit. Otherwise, we would stand in the righteousness of Christ for years on end and discover that we are not flourishing like any palm tree and are not growing like any cedar in Lebanon or even in Nigeria.

    Our businesses are not thriving. We lose our jobs. We suffer bereavement. We are jilted in love. We are persecuted and despised.

    Without wanting to admit it, this leads us to the subconscious conclusion that the promises of God are illusory. We feel God just says a lot of things without meaning them. He says a lot of things without intending to bring them to pass. Thereby, the letter of the scripture kills our faith. Little by little, we stop believing in the word of God. When we hear someone pray a promise of God, we say the amen of Jeremiah; the amen of doubt and unbelief. (Jeremiah 28:6).

    But when the veil over our heart is removed, we read Psalm 92:12 again and discover that this scripture that was so damaging to our faith is true to life. We suddenly discover that although our businesses are not thriving, although we lose our jobs, although we suffer bereavement, although we are jilted in love, and although we are persecuted and despised, nevertheless we are flourishing like the palm tree and are growing like a cedar in Lebanon.

    However, this flourishing and growth are not physical but spiritual. We discover that the Lord is not trying to make us physical but spiritual cedars. We also discover that a spiritual cedar is not just different from a physical cedar. It is its antithesis. Jesus says: “That which is flesh is flesh, and that which is spirit is spirit.” (John 3:60. Therefore, a spiritual cedar is the opposite of a physical cedar.

    A spiritual cedar is not recognised or admired in the world. The eye does not see, the ear does not hear, it has not come into the imagination of men what makes the spiritual man a cedar in Lebanon. (1 Corinthians 2:9). The natural man cannot see it because he has a veil over his heart. But God has revealed it to us by His Holy Spirit.

    Thus, Jesus came as the light of the world to teach us how to understand the Old Testament by being the fulfilment of all its prophecies. (Matthew 5:17). After we have received Him, we should not put the veil back on our hearts:

    The Jews believed the kingdom of God would bring about the restoration of Israel to its former power and glory. The symbol of this expectation was the cedar of Lebanon. With the advent of the kingdom, it was anticipated that Israel would be head and shoulders above its neighbours.

    The cedar was magnificent by all accounts. It grew straight up, sometimes for two or three hundred feet or more. Every kind of bird could nestle in branches and seek refuge in its shade. (Ezekiel 31:3-6).

    This expectation seemed to be confirmed by the vision given to Daniel:

    “I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.’” (Daniel 4:10-12).

    However, no sooner had this vision been given to Daniel than the Lord asked that the tree be cut down. (Daniel 4:13-17). Ezekiel notes that the counsel of the Lord is to bring down the high tree and exalt the low tree. (Ezekiel 17:24).

    Isaiah also gives a similar message: “The day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up- and it shall be brought low.” (Isaiah 2:12-17).

    Jesus says: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” (Matthew 11:25).

  • 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon arrive Abuja

    27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon arrive Abuja

    Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon by the Federal Government and the Lebanese government, as well as its community in Nigeria arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.

    Receiving them, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian government’s promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been several pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon appealing for assistance to enable them to return home.

    Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country.

    “I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria.

    “These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today.

    “It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you.

    “Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again.

    “You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations,’’ Nwonye said.

    The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman told newsmen that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations.

    He said the girls tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations.

    He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation.

    The spokesperson said the girls were tested in Beirut before embarking on the journey and they were also profiled on arrival.

    Also speaking, Mr Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, said the Lebanese community and its Embassy in Nigeria had facilitated the return of the girls with the support of the Nigerian government.

    Webbe said it was in fulfillment of their word that they would not leave any Nigerian girl stranded in Lebanon.

    “We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria.

    We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria.

    “The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back.

    “We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon.

    “On this flight, Mr Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community.

    “They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we won’t leave anyone of them behind.

    One of the returnees who spoke on condition of anonymity appreciated the Nigerian and Lebanese governments for ensuring their safe return back home.

    She said that if not for the assistance, they would have been left stranded in Lebanon as they could not afford to buy tickets to return home.

    The returnee said they encountered many challenges in Lebanon with many of them being owed seven to eight months salaries by their employers.

  • Beirut explosion: China, UK, EU, US, Qatar pledge €252m aid to Lebanon

    Beirut explosion: China, UK, EU, US, Qatar pledge €252m aid to Lebanon

    Britain, Qatar, the United States, the European Union, China, the World Bank have pledged immediate humanitarian relief worth over 252 million euros (297.08 million U.S. dollars) to Lebanon.

    Beirut, the Lebanese capital was rocked last week by two huge explosions that have claimed at least 158 lives and injured 6,000 others.

    The aid pledge followed a UN-backed virtual conference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

    The donors thereafter issued a joint statement, pledging solidarity with and support for the Lebanese people.

    “The participants agreed that their assistance should be timely, sufficient and consistent with the needs of the Lebanese people, well-coordinated under the leadership of the United Nations, and directly delivered to the Lebanese population, with utmost efficiency and transparency,” said the statement.

    “To help Lebanon overcome the tragedy and recover better, we will need all hands on deck,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the conference.

    Noting that the devastating Beirut port blast will have “deep social and economic impacts,” Mohammed called for a focus on the support of “four priority sectors — health, food, the rehabilitation of buildings and the rehabilitation of schools.”

    “The Lebanese people deserve a stable and secure future,” the UN deputy chief said, adding that “with determination and solidarity, we can help them reach that long-sought goal.”

    Calling for quick reconstruction support at the conference, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said “we have great needs at the moment and we must meet them quickly before the winter as citizens will suffer a lot without shelters during the cold weather.”

    “The earthquake struck us while we are in the midst of economic and financial crisis, in addition to the existence of over 1 million refugees in Lebanon and the repercussions of COVID-19. Dealing with all these is way beyond the capacity of Lebanon,” Aoun added.

    A dozen of countries and international organizations have expressed solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon over the deadly explosions, with medical supplies and foodstuff to the Middle East country.

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Friday that it is mobilizing assistance to support its staff and refugees affected by the deadly blasts.

    “We are making available our stocks of shelter kits in the country, plastic sheets, rub halls, and tens of thousands of other core relief items including blankets and mattresses for immediate distribution and use. Additional stockpiles in the region will come in reinforcement,” the UNHCR said in a statement.

    Lebanon has received field hospitals from a number of countries in the past few days, including France, Jordan, Russia and Qatar, to aid in the treatment of injured people and COVID-19 patients.

    The blasts hit the Port of Beirut at around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT) on Tuesday, causing massive casualties and costing the city 3 billion to 5 billion dollars in property losses.

    The causes of the blasts remain unknown and an investigation is underway, but Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi said the 2,700 tons of explosive chemicals stored at Port of Beirut may have led to the explosions.

    Lebanese Environment Minister Demianos Kattar and Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad on Sunday submitted their resignations following the blasts, local media reported.

    A number of members of parliament also presented their resignations a day earlier due to the explosions.

  • Beirut explosion caused by fertiliser from Russian ship – Report

    Beirut explosion caused by fertiliser from Russian ship – Report

    Russian media reported on Wednesday that the massive explosion in Beirut that has killed at least 100 people and injured thousands was caused by fertiliser seized from a Russian-owned cargo ship.

    The ship, the Rhosus, came to the port of Beirut six years ago due to a malfunction while en route to Africa, with a cargo of about 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, the Lebanese news outlet LBCI reported, without disclosing the vessel’s ownership.

    The Russian news outlet RBC reported that the vessel, en route from the Georgian city of Batumi to Mozambique, was owned by a Russian national, Igor Grechushkin, born in Russia’s far-eastern Khabarovsk region and residing in Cyprus.

    Following the malfunction, Grechushkin effectively abandoned the vessel in Beirut, failing to adequately pay the crew, RBC reported, citing crew members who had worked on the ship.

    The hazardous cargo was reportedly offloaded to a warehouse, where it remained for years.

    A fire erupted during welding work at the facility on Tuesday, leading to the explosion, LBCI reported.

  • 30 Nigerian girls stranded in Lebanon rescued, awaiting evacuation with others – FG

    30 Nigerian girls stranded in Lebanon rescued, awaiting evacuation with others – FG

    Thirty Nigerians, who were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon have been rescued, and are among a total of 150 victims awaiting evacuation to Nigeria.
    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) made this known in a statement by Gabriel Odu of its Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit on
    Tuesday.
    The commission said the rescue came after a video footage of the stranded Nigerians making an appeal to the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid viral on the Internet.
    According to it, the appeal for help by the stranded Nigerians led to their rescue by officials of the country’s mission in Lebanon.
    The stranded Nigerians have already been relocated to a more conducive apartment.
    “They will be part of 150 others to be evacuated to Nigeria after they were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon.
    “The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Houssam Diab disclosed the evacuation plans when the Management of NIDCOM, led by the Secretary, Dr Sule Bassi, visited that country’s mission in Abuja,” Odu said in the statement.
    He quoted Diab as saying that the 150 girls would be returned home in batches with the first group of 110 people leaving Beirut for Lagos on Aug. 12.
    The second batch sws expected to arrive Abuja on Aug. 16.
    “The diplomat commended efforts of the Lebanese Community and the Oyo State Government who is sponsoring the return of 55 of the girls,” he said.
    Responding on behalf of the NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Secretary of the commission, who acknowledged the excellent ties between Nigeria and Lebanon, urged both countries to sustain the cordial relationship.
    Bassi also lauded the Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, Amb. Goni Madu Zanna Bura for his dedication and commitment.
    He also commended the staff of the Nigerian mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oyo and Ogun state governments and other strategic partners for their efforts.
    “As part of the Nigerian Embassy’s Consular responsibility, the ladies in the said video that went viral and many other distressed Nigerian domestic workers were located and relocated to a safer place.
    “Suffice it to say that 150 of these stranded victims are expected to be evacuated next week and handed over to NAPTIP, the agency responsible for (dealing with human) trafficking.
    “A break down of the evacuees shows that Oyo State had 41, Ogun 21, Lagos 12, Ondo 18, Osun 26, and Imo 3.
    Others are Kwara– 9, Enugu — 1, Ekiti — 6, Kogi — 1, Edo — 1, Delta — 3, Ebonyi — 1, Benue — 1, Abia — 1, Akwa Ibom — 1, and Anambra — 1,” he said.
  • Lebanon reveals cause of Beirut explosion, Israel reacts

    Lebanon reveals cause of Beirut explosion, Israel reacts

    Lebanon’s Interior Minister, Mohammed Fahmi, says the Tuesday explosion in Beirut was caused by ammonium nitrate.

    He said the chemical was stored in a warehouse at the port.

    More than 50 people were feared dead, with nearly 3,000 injured.

    Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, disclosed that the warehouse had been the subject of warnings since 2014.

    Diab assured that he would “reveal facts” about the facility soon.

    “I promise you this catastrophe will not pass without accountability. The people who are responsible will pay a price,” Diab said.

    The PM declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for the victims of the explosion.

    Israel, technically at war with Lebanon and being accused of complicity, has also offered humanitarian assistance.

    Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, said Israel approached the Lebanese government through “international security and diplomatic channels”.

    Similarly, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries have offered assistance.

  • Oyo govt. to repatriate indigenes stranded in Lebanon – Makinde

    Oyo govt. to repatriate indigenes stranded in Lebanon – Makinde

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the State will ensure the repatriation of all its indigenes found to have been trafficked to Lebanon.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa.

    The statement indicated that Makinde stated this while receiving a brief on the plight of the state indigenes trafficked to Lebanon from the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu.

    The governor said that the state would not stand by and be watching its indigenes suffer dehumanization, under any guise, in any part of the world.

    “We will pay for the repatriation of all Oyo State indigenes who have been confirmed to have been trafficked to Lebanon. Please, put all the necessary plans in place to bring them back.

    “I understand that some well-meaning individuals and groups have made some donations to some of the victims. Let them use such donations as pocket money.

    “This state will pay for their flights and the fees requested to conduct COVID-19 tests on each of them,” he said.

    Earlier, Sarumi-Aliyu informed the governor that a number of Oyo State indigenes had been discovered to be illegal migrants who were trafficked into modern-day slavery in Lebanon.

    She said that while 40 of such victims had been screened and ready for the journey back home, more were still being discovered.

    The governor’s aide added that her office had been working closely with the Lebanese authorities to identify those indigenes stranded in Lebanon, adding that the 40 victims already screened would be returning home on Aug.12.

    “Since the government found out that we have some victims of human trafficking, who are stranded in Lebanon, we have stepped in.

    “On July 11, we received 11 victims and they are going through rehabilitation with the social workers in the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    “The state has given commitment that they will all be empowered. The same thing will happen to those we are expecting from the flight from Lebanon this August, once they have been cleared.” Sarumi-Aliyu stated.