Lebanon

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In this Friday, March 27, 2020 photo, members of the Islamic Health Society, an arm of the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group prepare to spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Hezbollah has mobilized the organizational might it once deployed to fight Israel or in Syria's civil war to battle the spread of the novel coronavirus. It aims to send a clear message to its Shiite supporters that it is a force to rely on in times of crisis -- particularly after it suffered a series of blows to its prestige. Opponents angrily accuse Hezbollah of helping bring the outbreak to Lebanon, saying it delayed a halt of flights from Iran for weeks after a woman who had just arrived from Iran emerged as Lebanon's first confirmed coronavirus case. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hezbollah shifts attention from Syria fight to battle virus

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

In this Saturday, March 21, 2020 photo, a food delivery scooter passes Barbar Restaurant that now offers food for delivery only, after most of the shops and restaurants closed as part of the preventive measures against the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon. Through 15 years of civil war and various bouts of violence since, Lebanon's Barbar eatery never closed its doors, forging ahead through difficult times while continuously serving up sandwiches to customers -- even if it meant doing so from behind sandbags during the conflict. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Coronavirus delivers tough blow to Lebanon’s dying economy

By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM - Associated Press

FILE - In this June 2016 file photo, provided by Guila Fakhoury, her father, Amer Fakhoury, holds his granddaughter, Kira, in King of Prussia, Penn. Lebanese Judicial officials said Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, that a military investigative judge has charged Amer Fakhoury, a Lebanese-American, with murder and torture of Lebanese citizens. The charges could carry a death sentence. Fakhoury allegedly committed the crimes during Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. Fakhoury was detained after returning to his native Lebanon from the U.S. in September. He's also undergoing cancer treatment, and may not be able to stand trial. (Guila Fakhoury via AP, File)

Judge in Lebanon appeals order to release Lebanese-American

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

Illustration on corona outbreaks in Lebanon by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Iran’s Hezbollah virus infects Lebanon while attacking the world

By Clifford D. May

FILE - In this Aug. 16, 2006 file photo, a Lebanese flag flies over Khiam prison, in the southern town of Khiam, Lebanon. On Monday March 16, 2020, Lebanon's official news agency said a military tribunal in Beirut has ordered the release of Fakhoury, a Lebanese-American who has been held in the country for nearly six months on charges of working at Khiam prison for an Israeli-backed militia two decades ago. He was ordered released because more than 10 years had passed since he allegedly tortured prisoners. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)

Lebanon military court orders Lebanese-American be released

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

In this photo released by the Lebanese Government, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, gives a speech at the Government House in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March. 7, 2020. Lebanon's prime minister said Saturday the government will suspend payment of $1.2 billion in loans, marking the crisis-hit country's first-ever default on its sovereign debt. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Government via AP)

Rating agencies warn Lebanon over $1.2 billion loan default

Associated Press

Lebanese man pleads guilty to violating U.S. export laws

Associated Press

In this photo released by the Lebanese Government, Lebanese President Michel Aoun, center, meets with Prime Minister Hassan Diab, right, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 7, 2020. Lebanon appears to be heading toward its first default in paying back Eurobonds worth $1.2 billion that mature in two days as the country passes through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades, a Lebanese official said Saturday. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Government via AP)

Crisis-hit Lebanon to default on $1.2 billion loan payment

By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM - Associated Press

FIEL - In this Jan. 8, 2020, file photo, Nissan's former chairman Carlos Ghosn, speaks at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon. Japan's Justice Minister Masako Mori said Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 that she was dispatching the official to Beirut for talks on the case of former Nissan Motor Co. executive Carlos Ghosn, who fled for his home country late last year while out on bail awaiting trial. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

Japanese minister in Lebanon, seeks return of fugitive Ghosn

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

The drilling ship Tungsten Explorer is seen off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. The vessel is scheduled to start later this week the first oil and gas exploration drills off the Lebanese coast, the French oil giant Total and Lebanon's government announced Tuesday. The arrival of the drill ship comes at a time when Lebanon is going through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanon begins ‘historic’ offshore oil drilling amid crisis

By ZEINA KARAM - Associated Press

In this photo released by Lebanon's official government photographer Dalati Nohra, Lebanese President Michel Aoun, center, heads the cabinet meeting, at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. French oil giant Total and the Lebanese government said Tuesday the drill ship that will carry operations of the first exploration well off the Lebanese coast has arrived where it will start drilling later this week. The arrival of the drill ship comes at a time when Lebanon is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades and harsh liquidity shortage. (Dalati Nohra via AP)

French Total to drill exploratory well off Lebanese coast

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

Sanctions bill aimed at Lebanon over detained US citizen

By KATHY McCORMACK - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020 file photo, people look at the broken facade of Bank of Beirut that was smashed by anti-government protesters in Beirut, Lebanon. Fitch Ratings said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that Lebanon's financial position points to a likely restructuring of the country's massive debt and financial sector as the Arab nation passes though its worst financial and economic crisis in decades. Fitch Ratings' report comes as Lebanese officials are debating whether to pay back $1.2 billion worth of Eurobonds that will mature on March 9. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

Moody’s downgrades Lebanon’s rating amid financial crisis

Associated Press

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 file photo, a firefighter looks before entering a bank that was set on fire by anti-government protesters, as a riot policeman passes by, during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. Fitch Ratings said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that Lebanon's financial position points to a likely restructuring of the country's massive debt and financial sector as the Arab nation passes though its worst financial and economic crisis in decades. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

IMF delegation advises Lebanese officials on economic crisis

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020 file photo, people look at the broken facade of Bank of Beirut that was smashed by anti-government protesters in Beirut, Lebanon. Fitch Ratings said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that Lebanon's financial position points to a likely restructuring of the country's massive debt and financial sector as the Arab nation passes though its worst financial and economic crisis in decades. Fitch Ratings' report comes as Lebanese officials are debating whether to pay back $1.2 billion worth of Eurobonds that will mature on March 9. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

Banker: Lebanese debt holders ready to discuss refinancing

By BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 file photo, a firefighter looks before entering a bank that was set on fire by anti-government protesters, as a riot policeman passes by, during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. Fitch Ratings said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that Lebanon's financial position points to a likely restructuring of the country's massive debt and financial sector as the Arab nation passes though its worst financial and economic crisis in decades. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

Fitch Ratings: Lebanon finances point to debt restructuring

Associated Press

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, a man rides an escalator as Nissan vehicles are showcased in the Nissan Gallery in Yokohama, west of Tokyo. Nissan, reeling from a scandal over its former superstar executive Carlos Ghosn, sank into red ink in the latest quarter as its vehicle sales fell around the world, and the Japanese automaker slashed its profit forecast for the year. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Nissan shareholders furious at Ghosn scandal, dismal results

By YURI KAGEYAMA - Associated Press

Syrian Fruitcake Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Syria is now an empire of rubble, beholden to Iraq and Russia, with Assad as a puppet ruler

By Gary Anderson

In this photo released by the Lebanese Government, Lebanese President Michel Aoun, center, meets with political and financial officials to discuss the economic situation, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni said Thursday the new government is facing the difficult task of deciding whether to pay or default on its $1.2 billion Eurobond maturing next month. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Government via AP)

To pay or not to pay: Lebanon weighs Eurobond debt

By SARAH EL DEEB - Associated Press

A protester shouts slogans in front of army soldiers during a protest against a parliament session vote of confidence for the new government in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Clashes broke out Tuesday between Lebanese protesters and security forces near the parliament building in central Beirut, where the new Cabinet is scheduled to submit its policy statement ahead of a vote of confidence. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanon’s int’l backers lend their support to new premier

Associated Press