Its Xavier Blog

 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a stern denunciation of official Israeli accounts for publishing maps allegedly depicting an expanded "historic Israel" that includes parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has described the move as a deliberate effort to expand occupation and a blatant violation of international law. A Violation of International Law and Norms The maps, purportedly shared by accounts affiliated with the Israeli government, have drawn widespread criticism for their alleged attempt to alter the geopolitical landscape of the region. The UAE’s MoFA strongly condemned the act, stating it constitutes a clear violation of internationally recognized agreements and resolutions. In its official statement, the Ministry emphasized that such provocative actions not only disregard the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory but also undermine efforts to achieve peace and stabil...

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, has ordered for an immediate $100 duty cover assistance to be sent to the people of Lebanon , WAM, the the Emirates news agency reports.  This sad announcement comes at a time when Lebanon has become one of the countries that needed humanitarian aid the most. Currently, the entire nation is in a state of conflict, in the last one year engaged military activities in Gaza against Hamas has extended to Lebanon against Hezbollah, who have been prompting the hostilities through their actions.  The strife has crippled basic amenities reconstructing uprooted lives and caused exodus for the most in Gaza and Lebanon. Rest basic straight such as power, healthcare have been affected and the general economic situation gone from bad to worse.  Within the confines of Lebanon, officials have reported that in addition to more than 1000 casualties sustained over the past weeks from continuous Israeli airstrikes, countless other...

  The origins of Lebanon's current problem may be traced back to 2019, when the country's economy began to unravel. A combination of widespread corruption, mismanagement, and unsustainable economic practices resulted in a disastrous financial collapse. The Lebanese pound lost more than 90% of its value, and inflation reached unfathomable proportions. Basic needs became scarce, plunging millions into poverty.     Among other international actors, France has been actively involved in attempting to mediate a solution to Lebanon's problem. The current visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian is the latest in a series of diplomatic initiatives to facilitate conversation among Lebanon' s political factions. Finding common ground among the strongly established groups, on the other hand, remains a daunting challenge.    Lebanon's leadership crisis, combined with the country's economic downturn, offers significant challenges for the country and its people. The international com...

  Inflation in Lebanon reached an alarming annual rate of 252 percent in July, adding to the already dire economic predicament faced by the country. As the term of central bank governor Riad Salameh concluded last month and a political stalemate obstructs the election of a new president, Lebanon's economic woes continue to deepen. This marked the 37th consecutive month of hyperinflation, with the Lebanese currency's value plummeting both on the parallel and official markets. Following a massive devaluation of 90 percent at the beginning of February, the country has been grappling with the cascading effects of its financial turmoil. The escalating cost of living has been primarily driven by the exponential surge in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels. This is coupled with a substantial increase in food prices, non-alcoholic beverages, and transportation costs, as highlighted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the Central Administration of Statistics. The month o...

    Three years have passed since the devastating Beirut port blast, and yet, justice remains elusive for the victims and their families. The explosion on August 4, 2020, shattered the lives of thousands, causing immeasurable pain and suffering in the capital of Lebanon. Over 200 lives were lost, and the widespread devastation left scars on the city that are still visible today. Despite the magnitude of this tragedy, the lack of accountability is disheartening. No senior official has been held responsible for the negligence and mismanagement that led to the explosion. Domestic efforts to seek justice have been repeatedly blocked, leaving the victims' families in a state of limbo. The slow progress in the investigation and the apparent lack of political will to bring those responsible to justice only exacerbate the grief and frustration felt by the Lebanese people. As we approach the third anniversary of the blast, the pain is still fresh, and the wounds are far from healed. Th...

  The World Bank has recently granted Lebanon a significant financial boost of $200 million to strengthen and uplift the country's agricultural and farming sector. This move comes as a ray of hope for Lebanon, which has been grappling with numerous challenges in recent years. The Purpose of the Funds: The approved financing aims to support productive investments that enhance the productivity of the agriculture sector and improve access to markets. The World Bank recognizes the vital role that agriculture plays in Lebanon's economy and believes that investing in this sector will have a positive ripple effect on the country's overall development. Targeted Beneficiaries: The funds will primarily benefit farmers and small to medium enterprises operating in the Lebanese agri-food sector. By providing financial support and resources to these key stakeholders, the World Bank intends to empower and enable them to navigate the existing challenges and seize opportunities for growth...

  Lebanon, a tiny Mediterranean country, finds itself caught in the grip of a worsening economic crisis and a prolonged power vacuum. On Wednesday, hopes were once again dashed as Lebanese lawmakers failed in their latest endeavor to elect a president. The ongoing political impasse has further exacerbated the country's economic turmoil, leaving its citizens grappling with severe hardships. In this article, we delve into the challenges faced by Lebanon, the implications of the failed presidential election, and the deepening crisis engulfing the nation. The Economic Meltdown: Lebanon's economic collapse has been building for years, but in recent times, it has intensified to an alarming level. Spiraling inflation, soaring unemployment rates, a weakening currency, and a shrinking GDP have created a dire socio-economic landscape. The impact is palpable across all sectors, as businesses shut down, livelihoods are lost, and basic necessities become increasingly unaffordable. The power...

    Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said he was due to receive the final version from US energy envoy Amos Hochstein on Sunday evening and would study it “carefully” before taking an “appropriate decision”. Israel and Lebanon are technically in a state of war and have no diplomatic relations  Israel insists that Karish is not part of the maritime border negotiations and that production will begin regardless of any deal. Under the terms of the agreement, all of Karish would fall under Israeli control, while Qana, another potential gasfield, would be under Lebanon's control. French company Total would be licensed to search for gas in the Qana field, and Israel would receive a share of future revenue. Lebanese officials have insisted that such an arrangement would not constitute a working relationship with Israel.

  After years of indirect negotiations over competing offshore gas field claims, a deal mediated by US energy envoy Amos Hochstein was delivered to Lebanese and Israeli officials at the weekend. Israel and Lebanon are technically in a state of war and have no diplomatic relations. Both had offered cautious praise for   the proposed deal,   with Lebanon's prime minister-designate Najib Mikati saying it was “on the right track to assert Lebanon's rights over all its waters”.    After years of indirect negotiations over competing offshore gas field claims, a deal mediated by US energy envoy Amos Hochstein was delivered to Lebanese and Israeli officials at the weekend.

    The Blom Lebanon Purchasing Managers' Index reading dropped to 48.8 last month, from 50.1 in August, which was its highest since June 2013. A reading above the neutral level of 50 indicates growth while one below it points to a contraction. “As the summer season has come to an end, Lebanon is evidently witnessing a decrease in tourist arrivals and spending, in addition to the strike of banks,” said Stephanie Aoun, a research analyst at Blominvest Bank. “Therefore, the business activity in Lebanon's private sector is continuously shrinking amid rising inflation, political instability and weakening of the Lebanese pound.” New orders fell at a quicker pace, reflecting weaker sales performances both domestically and abroad, the survey showed. Output also declined at a stronger rate, although backlogs of work fell for the first time in three months as private businesses made inroads in fulfilling outstanding orders. The Lebanese pound's unfavourable exchange rate against th...

  On Monday the depositor entered the Blom Bank branch in Haret Hreik, a southern suburb of Beirut, with three accomplices. Lebanon’s reported that four people “stormed” the bank. The Association of Depositors in Lebanon said the group was able to escape before the army arrived at the scene.  The closures came “after the repeated attacks on banks and the physical assaults on bank employees and their dignity”, the Association of Banks in Lebanon said. Banks imposed informal capital controls in 2019, severely restricting access to hard currency and compounding the  economic difficulties faced by people in Lebanon.

  Mr Hochstein has been attempting to seal a deal that would allow offshore energy exploration and defuse one potential source of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. In a tweet, the US embassy in Beirut said ambassador Dorothy Shea had met President Michel Aoun, Mr Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati “to provide the US proposal for a final agreement on the maritime boundary line”. On Saturday, the  Lebanese  presidency said Beirut had received a  letter from US mediatorAmos Hochstein  on proposals for demarcation of the boundary. Ambassador Shea met today with President of the Republic Michel Aoun, President of the Chamber of Deputies Nabih Berri, and President of the Council of Ministers Najib Mikati to provide the U.S proposal for a final agreement on the maritime boundary line. — U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) October 1, 2022