August
01.08.2025
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Friday
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The Arms Table Set, Casualties Counted

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Lebanese media on 2025-08-01 consistently prioritized the ongoing debate over arms exclusivity and government stability. Early reports indicated presidential efforts to prevent a cabinet collapse and advance disarmament. By late morning, reporting intensified on recent Israeli airstrikes causing four casualties, a new development escalating regional security concerns. Domestically, discussions continued on extending UNIFIL's mandate with increased army support. In the afternoon, attention shifted to the confirmed cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, with the "arms file" explicitly listed as a primary agenda item. High-level talks, including a "positive and frank" meeting between President Aoun and a Hezbollah figure, were widely reported as efforts to achieve consensus on state arms monopoly. Concurrently, a significant domestic governance step was noted with the signing of judicial appointment decrees, fulfilling a long-standing reform. The day ended with ongoing discussions on potential war scenarios involving Lebanon and the persistent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, alongside changes in US diplomatic engagement.
02.08.2025
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Saturday
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Arms Session Anticipated

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Lebanese media on 2025-08-02 predominantly focused on the imminent cabinet session scheduled for Tuesday, centered on arms exclusivity. Early reports highlighted intensive presidential efforts to achieve consensus, with President Aoun determined to advance the state's monopoly on weapons. Hezbollah and Amal confirmed their participation but maintained that disarming depended on an Israeli withdrawal. Midday coverage saw the Justice Minister declaring no legitimacy for non-state arms, reinforcing the state's position. Hezbollah's maneuvering and rejection of disarmament, alongside reported Hamas's similar stance, remained a prominent theme throughout the day. By evening, reports underscored intensifying international pressure, with France and the Arab Group urging Lebanese authorities to resolve the arms file. This sustained focus demonstrated the critical editorial priority given to the domestic arms debate and its international dimensions.
03.08.2025
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Sunday
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Arms Monopoly Debated, Port Justice Sought

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On 2025-08-03, Lebanese media largely maintained its focus on the state's efforts to assert exclusive control over weapons, with a critical cabinet session anticipated on Tuesday. Reports cited Kuwaiti sources suggesting that consolidating arms under strong state authority could enable full Israeli withdrawal. Early reports also covered Hezbollah's rejection of disarmament timeframes and demand for army armament, alongside a reported shift in political momentum supporting the state. Throughout the day, officials reiterated that no non-state arms held legitimacy and cautioned against disarmament becoming an internal "Lebanese-Lebanese problem." Concurrently, the fifth anniversary of the Beirut Port blast dominated later coverage, featuring widespread calls for justice and accountability, with public figures emphasizing no one stood above the law. The Beirut silos were officially designated historical monuments amidst these persistent calls.
04.08.2025
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Monday
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The Port's Fifth Year Lament, The Arms Dialogue Continued

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The fifth anniversary of the Beirut Port blast dominated Lebanese media on August 4th, with widespread calls for justice and an expedited indictment. Morning coverage highlighted President Aoun's reiteration of accountability, while international bodies including the UN, US, and French embassies, along with Pope Francis, added their voices to the demand for an independent judiciary and an end to impunity. Throughout the day, outlets detailed the stalled investigation, frequently attributing delays to political obstruction. Concurrently, the anticipated cabinet session on "arms exclusivity" remained a significant focus. Discussions continued regarding Hezbollah's potential consideration of disarming amidst US pressure and the challenges of achieving a state monopoly on weapons, a debate evolving from previous days. Media reports noted intensive political consultations ahead of Tuesday's crucial session.
05.08.2025
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Tuesday
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The Arms Plan Commissioned

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Lebanese media maintained its intense focus on the sensitive cabinet session convened to address the state's arms monopoly. Anticipation built throughout the morning regarding potential resolutions, against the backdrop of persistent calls for justice for the fifth anniversary of the Beirut Port blast. As discussions unfolded, Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated Hezbollah's stance, asserting the resistance's facilitation of state actions and firmly refusing any disarmament timeline while Israeli aggression continued. This prompted immediate counter-arguments from other political figures. By evening, the pivotal development occurred: the cabinet formally tasked the army with preparing a practical plan for arms exclusivity by month-end, with a presentation slated before year-end, signaling a concrete step in the long-running debate over non-state arms.
06.08.2025
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Wednesday
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The Arms Plan Confrontation

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The main editorial focus on August 6 centered on the government's decision to task the army with developing a plan to restrict Hezbollah's arms. This move, reported early in the day, initiated a significant political confrontation, with Shiite ministers objecting and walking out. Hezbollah swiftly and explicitly rejected the resolution by midday, calling it "non-existent" and a "great sin", thereby deepening the political rift. Other factions, conversely, hailed the decision as a "historic step". Concurrently, a major army operation unfolded in Baalbek, where drone strikes resulted in the death of a wanted individual. As the day progressed, warnings emerged of potential governmental deadlock and escalating popular protests, with an Iranian official asserting the disarmament plan would fail, further intensifying the debate over state authority and armed non-state actors.
07.08.2025
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Thursday
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Arms Monopoly Objectives Adopted

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Lebanese media consistently highlighted the government's arms confinement plan. In the morning, discussions persisted, alongside the Foreign Ministry's strong rejection of Iranian interference regarding arms, and UNIFIL's announcement of discovered tunnel networks. During the afternoon cabinet session on the US-backed arms exclusivity paper, ministers from Hezbollah and Amal temporarily withdrew in protest. They linked their participation to Israeli withdrawal and opposed discussing resistance weapons. Nevertheless, the cabinet proceeded, unanimously adopting the objectives of the American "Barak paper" by evening. This move, a progression from previous days' deliberations, was welcomed by the US but also triggered street protests by Hezbollah and Amal supporters, indicating ongoing political divisions over the state's authority.
08.08.2025
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Friday
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The State's Arms Decree Advances

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On August 8th, Lebanese media extensively covered the government's continued pursuit of a state arms monopoly. Following the previous day's approval of the US-backed proposal to end Hezbollah's armed presence, early reports detailed the withdrawal of Shiite ministers and initial protests by Hezbollah and Amal supporters. Throughout the morning and afternoon, reports clarified that the Shiite "Duo" was studying subsequent steps, signaling ongoing political engagement rather than a complete break. International bodies, including the GCC and Arab League, welcomed the decision, while an Iranian message reportedly urged Hezbollah not to surrender arms. Despite warnings from a Hezbollah MP, the overall narrative suggested Hezbollah was avoiding direct confrontation with the state. Concurrently, army intelligence reported dismantling dangerous gangs, reinforcing the state's assertion of authority. Political figures expressed optimism about the disarmament decision's implementation, affirming continued support for state restoration.
09.08.2025
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Saturday
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The Army's Blood, The State's Sovereignty

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Lebanese media on August 9th continued extensive coverage of the government's pursuit of an arms monopoly and state authority, extending from the August 7th session's fallout. Early reports discussed the Shiite Duo's position and Iran's influence on Hezbollah's armaments, alongside army warnings against street protests.A major shift occurred by late morning with news of an ammunition explosion in South Lebanon, causing multiple casualties among Lebanese troops. While some reports attributed it to Israeli ordnance remnants, others, notably Kataeb, specified the blast happened during the dismantling of Hezbollah missiles.This incident intensified the sovereignty debate. An Iranian official subsequently urged Lebanese figures to prevent Hezbollah's disarmament. In a direct diplomatic challenge, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry strongly condemned this interference, asserting that Lebanon's future and political system are exclusively Lebanese decisions. This rejection highlighted Beirut's firm stance against external meddling.
10.08.2025
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Sunday
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Soldiers' Sacrifice, State's Arms Resolve

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Media coverage on August 10 centered on the aftermath of the southern explosion that claimed six soldiers, which intensified the ongoing national discourse on state sovereignty and arms control. Early reports detailed continued investigations into the ambiguous blast, with various hypotheses circulating. As the army mourned its fallen, political figures, notably Patriarch Al-Rahi from the southern border, reinforced calls for peace and affirmed state authority, directly engaging the arms monopoly debate. Jordan's King offered support to the Lebanese army, underscoring regional endorsement for the state's role. This followed previous days' developments regarding the government's pursuit of arms exclusivity. Some outlets concurrently worked to mitigate internal anxieties, dismissing talks of civil war as mere "salon chatter", while the Foreign Ministry maintained its firm stance against external interference in disarmament discussions.
11.08.2025
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Monday
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The Iranian Visit, The Arms Standoff

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Lebanese media on August 11 continued its extensive focus on state authority and the disarmament debate, evolving from previous days' discussions. Early reports highlighted an anticipated government session and internal political pressure, including a reported fissure within the Salam government. A key development was the visit of an Iranian official, conveying a message of firm support for Hezbollah, which prompted strong Lebanese condemnations against foreign interference in the country's internal affairs. The discourse around Hezbollah's arms escalated, with some figures warning against forcible disarmament and potential bloodshed. Investigations continued into the recent arms depot explosion, with questions directed at Hezbollah's knowledge. Concurrently, outlets maintained coverage of regional affairs, including Israeli plans for Gaza and US/Israeli efforts to review UNIFIL's mandate in South Lebanon, directly linking it to Hezbollah's continued military presence.
12.08.2025
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Tuesday
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The Emissary's Landing, The Arms Line Drawn

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Morning headlines immediately framed the Iranian official Larijani's visit as a source of political escalation and internal provocation, highlighting Hezbollah's assertive posture and its threats to the government. This set the stage for a day dominated by the interplay of external influence and Lebanon's internal sovereignty debate. As the day progressed, the discourse on the state's exclusive control over arms intensified significantly. Political figures, including the Justice Minister, Kataeb party, President Aoun, and MP Bassil, explicitly condemned non-state arms as a threat to Lebanon, rejecting Iranian interference and reaffirming the necessity of state authority. By evening, as Larijani's arrival was confirmed, media coverage continued to debate the visit's objectives, ranging from an attempt to "cool" tensions to an effort to "float negotiation cards" with Washington, all within the persistent context of the arms issue.
13.08.2025
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Wednesday
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The Sovereign Stand, The Army's Plan

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Lebanese media on August 13 centered on Iranian official Larijani's visit, which consistently dominated headlines. Early reports assessed his trip as an attempt to influence negotiations and questioned its implications for UNIFIL's mandate and Iran's regional standing. By mid-morning, the focus intensified as President Aoun delivered a firm message to Larijani, directly rejecting foreign interference and the bearing of unauthorized arms, reaffirming Lebanon's sovereignty. A significant development in the afternoon was the widely reported Lebanese Army's 120-day plan, outlining efforts to confine weapons and assert state authority. This operational detail underscored the state's resolve on arms control, a persistent theme from previous days. Later, President Salam reinforced this stance, stating that Lebanese government decisions are not open to debate by other nations, marking a day of clear, public assertions of national independence amidst external diplomatic pressures.
14.08.2025
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Thursday
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The State's Red Line, The Border's Edge

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The day's headlines continued to feature Iranian official Larijani's visit, with Lebanese media highlighting a persistent clash between Iranian support for "resistance" and Beirut's assertions of sovereignty. President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam reinforced Lebanon's "red lines" and rejected foreign interference, echoing themes from previous days. The central editorial focus remained on state authority over arms, with outlets discussing the Lebanese Army's plan to confine weapons and some explicitly framing "resistance" as antithetical to the state. Simultaneously, regional tensions escalated, with reports of Israeli actions targeting Bekaa and the South, alongside Arab condemnations of Israeli claims extending into Lebanon. While an Israeli official denied plans for a new war, Israeli threats to dismantle Hezbollah's weapons by force were also reported. Separately, a new judicial decision ordering the repatriation of funds transferred abroad gained prominence, signaling a significant development for the financial sector.
15.08.2025
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Friday
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The Arms Defiance, The State's Rebuke

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Initial reports indicated the army's continued expansion southward in its "confine weapons" plan, a development framed by some as occurring after Iranian official Larijani's visit seemingly failed to achieve its objectives. However, the day's editorial focus quickly shifted mid-morning with a prominent Hezbollah official's declaration that the group would not surrender its arms, warning the government of potential internal "explosion." This defiant stance immediately drew widespread political commentary and strong rejections. Throughout the day, former Prime Minister Salam and several former presidents and prime ministers condemned such threats of civil war and external dictation, reaffirming the imperative for state authority. International support for Lebanon and its army was also noted, alongside reports of Lebanon taking initial steps toward restoring full sovereignty, all against the backdrop of this intensifying national debate on arms control.
16.08.2025
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Saturday
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The Civil War Words, The Moscow Meeting Offer

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The Lebanese media extensively covered the escalating political debate concerning state authority and Hezbollah's arms. A central focus throughout the day was Sheikh Naim Qassem's declaration of not fearing civil war, which directly followed from the previous day's "arms defiance." This statement drew immediate and strong condemnations from key political figures, including former Prime Minister Salam and Geagea, who reaffirmed support for state legitimacy and rejected such discourse.
Concurrently, international diplomacy remained a significant theme, with reports detailing the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and, particularly, Russian President Putin's offer to host the next Ukraine meeting in Moscow. Domestically, a new development emerged as Bassil submitted a "Black File" to a parliamentary committee, alleging over a billion dollars in corruption within the communications sector. Ongoing concerns about border security and smuggling from Syria also persisted in reports.
17.08.2025
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Sunday
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The Weapons' Internal Orbit

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Lebanese media throughout the day maintained a sharp focus on the contentious issue of Hezbollah's weapons and state authority, building on previous days' debates.
Early reports highlighted diplomatic efforts and a presidential initiative, alongside domestic warnings against civil war rhetoric. By late morning, editorial attention shifted to potential "collision" scenarios between Hezbollah and state institutions, with continued criticism of Sheikh Naim Qassem's statements.
In the afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks about preventing Hezbollah's arming with force gained prominence. Crucially, President Aoun asserted Hezbollah's arms were an "internal matter" open to discussion under state supervision, reflecting a national consensus for limiting weapons.
Parliament Speaker Berri echoed calls against civil war, linking the arms issue to Israel's obligations. The day concluded with the ongoing anticipation of Barrack's talks, framed by leaders' assertions of Lebanese control over the arms debate.
18.08.2025
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Monday
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The Envoy's Path, The State's Arms Consensus

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US envoy Barak's visit remained central in Lebanese media, continuing the intense national debate on Hezbollah's arms and state authority. Early reports detailed discussions on UNIFIL's mandate and arms exclusivity, while a security incident involving gunfire at a Lebanese Forces office also emerged. President Aoun presented conditional demands for disarmament, reiterating his stance on it being an internal matter linked to other parties' commitments and army support. Parliament Speaker Berri urged dialogue and dismissed civil strife, aligning with Barak's assertion of progress. Throughout the day, Lebanese leaders consistently emphasized the state's sole authority over arms, linking it to stability and Israel's obligations. Washington's new strategy was framed as bolstering the government, stability, and disarmament. Regional news, particularly Hamas's agreement to a Gaza ceasefire, also received significant attention.
19.08.2025
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Tuesday
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The Envoys' Paris Discussions

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The day's editorial focus tracked the evolving US diplomatic efforts regarding Lebanon. Early reports centered on envoy Barak's visit to Lebanon, highlighting discussions on positive breakthroughs and anticipated reciprocal steps from Israel. UNIFIL's future remained a prominent topic, alongside analysis of Hezbollah's strategic position. By early afternoon, the diplomatic path shifted as envoys Barak and Ortas departed for Israel, following Prime Minister Netanyahu's rejection of a Gaza ceasefire proposal. Throughout the day, internal Lebanese concerns persisted regarding Hezbollah's arms, with political figures criticizing its actions and warnings of its readiness for escalation. In the evening, the diplomatic efforts culminated with Barak and Ortas meeting Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister in Paris to discuss pending issues, underscoring the ongoing international engagement with Lebanon's challenges.
20.08.2025
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Wednesday
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The Disarmament Plan, The Israeli Maneuvers

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The day's Lebanese media prioritized UNIFIL's uncertain future amid international debate, with early reports detailing Washington's calls for its end and Israeli military preparations, including a 60,000-troop call-up, raising concerns for Lebanon. Concurrently, the imperative to restrict Hezbollah's weapons gained prominence, with official affirmations of "no turning back" and the army potentially seeking more time for implementation. Criticism against Hezbollah's perceived allegiance to Iran intensified, with religious and political figures asserting it does not represent the Shiite community. In the afternoon, President Aoun met with US Senator Markwayne Mullin, emphasizing the Lebanese army's need for support and the necessity of Israeli withdrawal. Discussions on the army's September disarmament plan continued, linked to Israeli compliance, amidst reports of Israeli military exercises simulating major escalation.
21.08.2025
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Thursday
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The Disarming of the Camps

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Lebanese media tracked the continuation of US diplomatic efforts through envoy Barrack, with initial reports reflecting concerns over American proposals and UNIFIL's future amid Israeli actions in South Lebanon, which reportedly caused casualties. The day's central development, however, was the official commencement of Palestinian weapons disarmament in camps, notably starting in Burj al-Barajneh. Sources emphasized the army's active role in implementing this government decision. US envoy Barrack welcomed this as a historical step towards stability and unity, reinforcing the ongoing national debate surrounding arms control and state authority. Concurrently, discussions around UNIFIL's extension persisted, while reports in the evening indicated a US request to Israel to reduce "non-urgent" military operations in Lebanon.
22.08.2025
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Friday
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The Camps Disarmed, The Borders Secured

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Lebanese media began the day continuing its focus on the commencement of Palestinian weapons disarmament in the camps, a development from the previous day. Reports initially highlighted the gradual launch of the handover process, with discussions emerging on the government's competence in handling it. This evolved into a debate questioning whether the disarmament constituted a sovereign step or a political trap for the state. Concurrently, President Aoun's affirmations regarding controlled Lebanese-Syrian borders and the army's full readiness shifted editorial attention to external security. A significant local security story developed with a successful kidnapping rescue operation resulting in a gang leader's death. In the evening, the army denied allegations of a cover-up related to a UNIFIL incident, maintaining a focus on military integrity. International developments like the Gaza famine and Israeli actions also remained present.
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