Lebanon

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy announced the organization's support for Lebanon's negotiations with Israel following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Fahmy stated that the Arab League would intensify its political and diplomatic engagement in support of Beirut and emphasized the importance of strengthening Lebanese state institutions. He identified Lebanon as a regional priority and pledged support across political, economic and social sectors. Fahmy also announced plans to visit southern Lebanon amid continuing Israeli attacks. The statements indicate a renewed diplomatic commitment by the regional organization.

Citing Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper, DPA reported on Saturday that President Joseph Aoun asked army intelligence to widen its investigation and that Cassation Public Prosecutor Ramy al-Hajj issued orders to detain Hezbollah liaison and coordination committee head Hussein Abdallah and his aide Ali Ayoub. The paper said Hezbollah, through MP Hassan Fadlallah, rejected giving up the explosives. It added that Aoun sought, per palace leaks, to push Washington to pressure Israel. The information is attributed to one newspaper, is not confirmed by officials or Hezbollah in the article, and no arrest is reported as carried out.

The article reports that more than half a ton of TNT and C4 explosives was seized in what is known as the explosives truck case, and that Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Claude Ghanem heard two detainees, with the seized material placed in the custody of the Lebanese military police. The source does not state the date or place of the seizure, the identities of the detainees or the party to whom the explosives belong. The case was covered in a report on President Aoun's reported request to widen the investigation, according to Al-Akhbar newspaper.

On Friday 16 October 2026, following a press conference by Hezbollah bloc MP Hassan Fadlallah demanding the return of a seized explosives shipment, Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan delivered a Friday sermon in Beirut. He warned the authorities that any mistake over the "resistance" amounted to a declaration of existential war. Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel said the explosives could ignite civil conflict. The US ambassador, quoted separately, urged serious handling of the case. Details of the shipment's seizure are not given here.

During a visit to Beirut on Friday 16 October 2026, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and army commander Rodolphe Haykal. He announced agreement on a comprehensive framework for energy cooperation. Salam said the sides were close to a project to rebuild Lebanon's electricity infrastructure. He said Qatar would finance, build and operate it under a build-operate-transfer model, with no upfront cost to the Lebanese treasury. The agreement was not yet final.

Hezbollah publicly addressed the seizure of a vehicle carrying explosives at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint, acknowledging that the vehicle was connected to the organization and demanding the release of detained individuals and seized materials. Hezbollah parliamentarian Hassan Fadlallah criticized the handling of the case during a press conference in parliament. Lebanese security and judicial authorities continued investigating the shipment, with military intelligence and other security agencies involved. The dispute highlighted tensions between state institutions and Hezbollah over weapons transportation, security enforcement, and the authority of the Lebanese state.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, arrived in Beirut for a high-level visit amid Lebanon's political and security challenges. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Qatar's ambassador welcomed him at Beirut's international airport. The visit attracted significant official attention and provided an opportunity for discussions between the two governments concerning Lebanon's situation and regional developments. The newspaper reported the arrival and diplomatic engagement but did not establish a finalized agreement resulting from the visit.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with a United Nations official, referred to in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed as Lacroix, at the presidential palace in Baabda on October 14. The discussions addressed the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, whose existing mandate was approaching its scheduled end. Aoun expressed support for maintaining the mission during the following year, against the backdrop of continuing Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon. The meeting reflected Lebanon's diplomatic efforts to preserve an international security presence in the border region.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued new threats against Hezbollah, warning of intensified military action if the organization participated in an Iranian attack on Israel. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, his statements included the possibility of expanding Israeli military control in southern Lebanon and ordering evacuations in Beirut's southern suburbs, potentially displacing a large population. These remarks were threats concerning possible future action, not evidence that the threatened displacement had occurred. They emerged amid continuing Israeli-Lebanese tensions and disagreements over the security situation along the border.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Monday, 12 October 2026 according to the article's timing, that there would be no laxity or leniency in the investigation into the seizure of more than half a ton of TNT and C4 explosives. The statement appeared in passing within an article on President Aoun's reported request to arrest Hezbollah officials, and the source gives neither the full text of the statement, its location nor details of concrete government steps. The article does not specify the government's position toward parties possibly involved in the case.

During talks with Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi welcomed Russia’s decision to increase scholarships allocated to Lebanese students. The development was reported alongside discussions of cultural and educational relations. The supplied article does not give the number of additional scholarships, eligibility conditions, implementation schedule, or the date the Russian decision was adopted. The publication date is used to record the reported educational cooperation measure.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. Lavrov affirmed support for Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Raggi called for Israeli withdrawal, an end to attacks, and exclusive state authority over weapons and decisions on war and peace. He sought a supportive Russian diplomatic role and invited Lavrov to Lebanon. Discussions also covered cultural and educational cooperation.