Lebanon 

The decision to monopolize arms exclusively in hands of the Lebanese state is “irreversible” President Joseph Aoun has said, noting that “it will be implemented patiently, in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s unity and prevents harm to civil peace”

US envoy Tom Barrack’s visit to Lebanon opened the “window of diplomacy”; a tense atmosphere had preceded his arrival in Beirut, where he received the official Lebanese response to a three-point paper with a path leading to Hezbollah’s disarmament

An intensification of Israeli military activity in Lebanon, with escalating use of airstrikes, drone warfare, trategic signaling was registered this June and culminated in the 27 June seismic missile engagements targeting Nabatieh and Kfartibnit

"Beirut, I'm Back", Magda Chaaban's solo exhibition celebrating the city's renewal will open on 12 June at Rebirth Beirut's cultural space in Gemmayze; June has a thick calendar of concerts, theatre plays and festivals celebrating the 'spring' of the city

Lebanon plans to use Egypt’s military expertise to dismantle and disarm Palestinian militant factions within its borders, President Aoun said in a visit to Cairo: restore internal security and fully control weapons are key priority for his administration

Lebanon is now open for entry to the citizens of the United Arab Emirates that will lift a travel ban imposed during a diplomatic row in 2021; both countries made the announcement in a joint statement

"Nobody will lose their deposits but it may take time" Economy Minister Amer Bisat declared to Bloomberg, adding that parliament is expected to pass a draft law on restructuring Lebanon's banking sector within few weeks

A draft law on restructuring Lebanese banking sector was adopted, a condition for unlocking international aid to face the economic crisis it has suffered since 2019; it is considered the first time a Lebanese government has approved a bill of this kind

Beirut was hit by an airstrike carried out by Israel for the first time since a truce between the Israeli army and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah halted the war between the two in November

Ambassador for a Day initiative was launched: a national essay competition for girls 15-18 years of age where winners will shadow an Ambassador or senior UN Official in Lebanon for one day to see first-hand they can become leaders and advocates for change

The country is stepping up security and logistical preparations for the funeral procession of former Hezbollah General Secretaries Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine in Beirut on Sunday

Prominent Lebanese journalist and executive producer Ahmad Farhat was killed in an attack by an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle that hit his car in the Iqlim al-Tuffah district in the south of the country