Investigation into 2020 explosion that killed more than 220 people, injured thousands and devastated swathes of Lebanon's capital, restarts after 2-year hiatus

Only peacekeepers, Lebanese military should be in the area, says Guterres, calling for end to Israeli 'occupation'; Macron, Aoun also demand IDF withdraw, as Jan. 26 deadline looms

French President Emmanuel Macron will fly to Lebanon on Friday for a one-day visit to show support for the country's new leadership and work towards preventing Hezbollah's rearmament, two months after France and the US brokered a ceasefire between the group and Israel,

The announcement from Washington comes as Lebanon seeks to implement the flimsy ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The latter has been considerably weakened following the conflict with Israel tha

Israeli troops withdrew from the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura on Monday, amid growing accusations from both sides of major violations of the Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire.

Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad said on Monday the Iran-backed group's opponents were seeking its fragmentation and exclusion from power in Lebanon.

In Lebanon, many saw the election on Thursday of Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese military, as a crucial step toward bringing stability to the country. It was also seen as a concession by Hezbollah and, some analysts said, an acknowledgment that the group was no longer in a position to paralyze the state.

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday his hands were "extended to everyone", in a gesture to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group that accused opponents of seeking to exclude it by nominating him for the post.

Hezbollah has threatened to resume fighting if Israel does not fully withdraw its forces by the 60-day deadline.

The Presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system and has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.

Israel’s invasion of Gaza in 2023 came six days after Hamas murdered 1200 Israelis, many attending a music concert near the Gaza border, on October 7.

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanese President Joseph Aoun summoned Nawaf Salam, head of the International Court of Justice, to designate him prime minister after most lawmakers nominated him on Monday, a big blow to Hezbollah, which accused opponents of seeking to exclude it.