Pierre Sawaya

Communications and Outreach Manager @USAID funded programs / Former journalist @AFP, @LorientLeJour, @CommerceLevant / Views my own

[Mounir Younès/منير يونس @Mouniryouniss]

📌صفقة شراء علاء الخواجة حصة في بنك البحر المتوسط .. إلى القضاء

📌القضية تشمل رياض سلامة وسمير حنا (بنك عودة) ومحمد الحريري ومحمد على بيهم (بنك المتوسط)

📌شبهات حول قرض من بنك عودة مدعوم من مصرف لبنان خلافاً لقانون النقد والتسليف،

📌قرض قيمته ٥٥٠ مليون دولار لتمكين الخواجة من شراء تلك الحصة من أيمن الحريري

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️ SCOOP: I have obtained the Security Annex that Lebanon and Israel signed alongside the Framework Agreement after four days of negotiations.

SECURITY ANNEX

The below constitutes the confidential Security Annex to the Trilateral Framework.

1. Pilot Zones Designation: The parties will immediately designate and launch the initial pilot zone in the South Litani Sector in an agreed upon military planning process using a four-step model: 1) Clearance, taking legal measures against all non-state armed personnel engaging in unauthorized activity, and destroy or render inoperable associated infrastructure, including but not limited to weapons, weapons caches, tunnels, and command centers, by those non-state armed groups. 2) Verification of clearance of all non-state armed groups and their military infrastructure by a mutually agreed-upon third-party entity. 3) Presence of highly-qualified Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) that assume and maintain sole operational control, to prevent any resurgence of non-state armed activity. 4) The Lebanese state leads reconstruction efforts, supported by international assistance and coordinated through the political track.

2. Implementation and Verification: The LAF will lead the implementation of this model with success measured by verifiable implementation of the disarmament and dismantlement process to be agreed upon within this negotiation framework. Israel and Lebanon will establish the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), tasked with the mission to operate 24/7, managing deconfliction, verification, and overall implementation. This cell will report to the respective political authorities of Israel and Lebanon via indirect military-to-military channels between Israel and Lebanon. Ongoing verification will occur simultaneously with clearing operations.

3. Security Commitments: The LAF commits to take necessary operational measures to ensure the disarmament of Hizballah and all other non-state armed groups, and that they have no military role or capability within Lebanon.

4. Sequenced Redeployment: Pending successful completion of an agreed upon and verifiable disarmament and dismantlement process, Israel commits to a phased, conditions-based, progressive reduction and eventual redeployment of its forces from Lebanese territory, planned and sequenced through the MCG4L, to coincide with LAF deployment.

5. Desired Outcome: As part of the broader effort relating to the disarmament and dismantlement of all non-state armed groups as mutually agreed upon within this negotiation framework, restore full Lebanese state authority throughout Lebanon and ensure the long-term security of Israel.

6. Oversight and Dispute Resolution: The parties, with U.S. facilitation, will conduct periodic reviews of the implementation and may amend this Annex by mutual agreement. Any disputes regarding its interpretation or execution will be resolved through trilateral discussions.

(Full story on @AsharqNews & @AsharqBusiness).

[Bechara Charbel @becharacharbel]

... الى الميدان
حبذا لو يقترح عون وسلام على بطلي "٦ شباط" المجيد بري وجنبلاط وحلفائهما فرنجية وباسيل ونحاس وحليمة وحنا تجميد "اتفاق الاطار" اسبوعين او شهرين ليثبتوا شوقهم الى "الميدان"، فإذا حرروا الشقيف والخيام نرفع لهم القبعة ونُسقط الاتفاق... ممانعون وممانعات... في دويلة.

[Dana Saba @DanaSaba2]

طريق المطار بعد ازالة الزبالة😊
#لبنان_اولاً

[Beirut Politics @beirut_politics]

غلاء أسعار إضافي… هذا ما بشّرنا به أمس رئيس نقابة مستوردي المواد الغذائية هاني بحصلي، بحجة الرسم البيئي الجديد

ولم يكن وحده؛ فقد سبق أن بشّرنا هو وغيره قبل أشهر بارتفاع الأسعار بذريعة صعود أسعار النفط

حسناً… لقد توقفت الحرب، وانخفضت أسعار النفط بنحو 25%، ومع ذلك لا تزال الأسعار مرتفعة

فعلى سبيل المثال:
▪️ الخضروات ما زالت أعلى بنحو 45%
▪️ الفاكهة بنحو 20%
▪️ الحبوب والبذور والمكسرات بنحو 21%
▪️ اللحوم والدواجن بنحو 18%
لكن أين وزارة الاقتصاد؟
خلال أشهر قليلة فقط، سطّرت الوزارة 652 محضر ضبط، وأحالت العديد من المخالفين إلى القضاء بتهم رفع الأسعار والغش والاستغلال
لكن ذلك لا يعني شيئاً بالنسبة إلى من اعتادوا امتصاص «دم» الناس
فهم يعلمون أن القضايا قد تبقى عالقة في المحاكم ثلاث أو أربع سنوات، وفي نهاية المطاف لا تتجاوز العقوبة غرامة هزيلة قد لا تزيد على ألف دولار

فهل يُعقل أن يحتكر تاجر السوق، ويرفع الأسعار، ويستغل المواطنين، ويحقق أرباحاً بمئات آلاف الدولارات، ثم تكون عقوبته غرامة لا تتجاوز ألف دولار؟ إنها عقوبة لا تردع أحداً

ومع ذلك، تبقى المشكلة الأكبر هي الاحتكار

ففي لبنان، ثمة واقع يبعث على القلق: خمس شركات استيراد فقط وخمسة متاجر كبرى تسيطر وحدها على نحو 80% من أسواق السلع الأساسية

أي إن قلة قليلة تتحكم بالأسعار، وبلقمة عيش الناس، وبقدرتهم على تأمين أبسط احتياجاتهم

لكن المحتكرين والغشاشين مطمئنون، لأن معظم المواطنين ما زالوا منشغلين بالاصطفافات الطائفية والفئوية، وبشدّ العصب، وبتقديس الزعيم

ذلك الزعيم، الذي كثيراً ما يكون شريكاً للتاجر وحامياً له

عزيزي المواطن… إن اخترت أن تبقى أسير الطائفية، وعابداً للزعيم الفاسد، فلا تشتكِ بعد اليوم من الغلاء، ولا من الاحتكار، ولا من استنزاف لقمة عيشك

اصمت فقط

Additional price hikes… That’s what the head of the Food Importers Syndicate, Hani Bohsali, warned us about yesterday, citing the new environmental tax

And he wasn’t the only one. Months ago, he and others also warned of higher prices, blaming the rise in global oil prices

Well… the war has ended, and oil prices have fallen by around 25%, yet prices remain high

For example:
▪️ Vegetables are still up by around 45%
▪️ Fruit by around 20%
▪️ Grains, seeds, and nuts by around 21%
▪️ Meat and poultry by around 18%

So where is the Ministry of Economy?

In just a few months, the ministry issued 652 violation reports and referred many offenders to the judiciary on charges of price gouging, fraud, and exploitation

But that means little to those who have grown accustomed to feeding off people’s suffering

They know these cases can remain in court for three or four years, and in the end, the penalty is often nothing more than a token fine that may not even exceed $1,000
How can a trader monopolize the market, raise prices, exploit consumers, and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits, only to face a fine of no more than $1,000? That is not a deterrent
Yet the biggest problem remains monopoly
In Lebanon, a deeply worrying reality exists: just five importing companies and five major retail chains control around 80% of the country’s essential goods market
That means a tiny group controls prices, people’s daily bread, and their ability to secure basic necessities

Meanwhile, monopolists and fraudsters remain unconcerned because most citizens are still consumed by sectarian loyalties, political mobilization, and blind devotion to their leaders

Those same leaders are often partners of the traders and their protectors

Dear citizen… if you choose to remain a prisoner of sectarianism and continue worshipping corrupt leaders, then stop complaining about high prices, monopolies, and the erosion of your livelihood

Just stay silent
@Mouniryouniss
#لبنان #الاقتصاد #الاحتكار #الغلاء
#Lebanon #Economy #Monopoly #Inflation

[Barak Ravid @BarakRavid]

📄🇺🇸🇱🇧🇮🇱READ HERE THE FULL TEXT: The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement brokered by the Trump administration:

TRILATERAL FRAMEWORK BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE STATE OF ISRAEL, AND THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON

The Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon, with the full support of the United States under President Donald J. Trump, affirm their shared goal of achieving lasting peace and security. As reflected in this Trilateral Framework (“Framework”), and through future agreements, the two countries declare their ambition to end conflict between them, ensure the sovereignty and security of both countries, and establish peaceful neighborly relations between the two countries.

1. Israel and Lebanon affirm the right of each state to exist in peace, and their mutual desire to live in security as neighboring sovereign states. Israel and Lebanon hereby declare their intent to conclusively end the conflict, address its underlying causes, and to therewith formally conclude any state of war between them. This Framework, reached after multiple rounds of direct negotiations between the parties, builds upon previous successful agreements and understandings, and expresses a determination to make irreversible progress towards the comprehensive resolution of all issues between the two countries. Both countries affirm their intention to resolve these issues as sovereign states through direct bilateral negotiations, with the mediation and support of the United States.

2. The Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon commit to a reciprocal, sequenced process, with clear conditions, whereby the LAF will restore effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, pending the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure, enabling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to progressively redeploy out of the Lebanese territory. The components of this process will be detailed in a Security Annex, developed with the full support of the United States, that will complement this Framework. The Framework will set out the requisite measures, security arrangements, and verification mechanisms to advance this process. Successful implementation of this Framework will pave the way for a stable and peaceful relationship between the two countries and will enable the IDF to redeploy out of the Lebanese territory.

3. Pursuant to the Security Annex, and as part of the broader effort toward the Lebanese state’s monopoly of arms and sovereign territorial control, the LAF will gradually assume full and effective security responsibility in pilot zones, which will serve as the mechanism for phased and verified redeployments of the IDF and the deployments of the LAF. Two initial zones have been agreed to by the IDF and the LAF, and future pilot zones will also be agreed upon by mutual consent. Upon the confirmation of successful disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of their infrastructure in these zones, the LAF will assume full and effective security responsibility in these zones, internationally supported reconstruction efforts will begin, and Lebanese civilians will be able to safely return to these areas under the exclusive control of Lebanese state authorities. The United States intends to work closely with both countries to verify and support this process.

4. The Government of Lebanon reaffirms its resolute and irreversible commitment to restoring and exercising full sovereignty over all its territory. The Government of Lebanon will rebuild the State's monopoly on the use of force, achieve the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups, and ensure that such groups will have no military or security role and no armed capabilities anywhere in Lebanon. The Government of Lebanon herewith requests the support of international and particularly Arab partners, under the leadership of the United States, to achieve this outcome.

5. The Government of Israel stresses that its military actions in Lebanon are solely a consequence of the attacks, threat posed by, and hostile intent of non-state armed groups, particularly Hizballah. The Government of Israel underscores that the termination of this threat, through the disarmament and dismantlement of such groups in all of Lebanon and additional security arrangements to be agreed upon between the two countries, will eliminate any future need for IDF military action or presence in Lebanon. Pursuant to the above, the Government of Israel declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

6. The Government of Lebanon, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and in exercise of its sovereign authority, reaffirms that its security forces hold exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s security and defense and that the Government of Lebanon holds the exclusive sovereign authority to make war and peace. The Government of Lebanon rejects the claims of any state or non-state actor to use force on its behalf without its explicit authorization, and reiterates that any claim by any state or non-state actor to exercise a military or security role is illegal per the decisions of the Lebanese Government and contrary to Lebanese national interests.

7. The Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel affirm that nothing in this Framework prevents them from exercising their inherent right to defend themselves, as recognized in the Charter of the United Nations and consistent with applicable international law, reaffirming that no third party may exercise that right on their behalf. Both governments commit to establishing a military coordination group, with U.S. support and participation, to ensure overall implementation of this Framework.

8. The two countries affirm that they share the objective of a secure, rebuilt Lebanon, under full Lebanese state sovereignty, in which no non-state armed group poses a threat to Israel, Lebanon, or citizens of either country. Furthermore, the two countries recognize that the restoration of security in South Lebanon through the deployment of the LAF, the safe return of its civilian population, and the security of Israel’s northern communities, are essential to long-term stability and peace.

9. The Government of Lebanon commits to a rigorous, performance-based program to enable the capacity of the LAF to assert full military and security control within Lebanon in accordance with security arrangements, agreed upon within the framework of negotiations, and to implement the disarmament of all non-state armed groups and exercise effective authority across Lebanon. The Government of Lebanon welcomes the readiness of the United States to support such efforts, recognizing that any new U.S. assistance will be strictly conditioned on verifiable milestones, full transparency, demonstrated results, and ongoing oversight. This effort will enable the safe and orderly re-establishment of Lebanese sovereignty, also contributing to the broader stability and security of the entire Middle East.

10. Separately, and simultaneously, the United States will rally international partners to actively support the Government of Lebanon in rebuilding the country, repairing infrastructure, restoring the economy, and creating opportunities for prosperity. This is expected to include mobilizing substantial reconstruction and humanitarian assistance for Lebanon, economic recovery programs, and investment initiatives so that Lebanon can recover from years of conflict and provide a better future for all its citizens.

11. Lebanon and the United States commit to preventing funds from flowing to any entity, organization, or individual affiliated with non-state armed groups and to take available legal measures to proscribe the activity of any such entity, organization or individual. The Government of Lebanon explicitly commits to prevent reconstruction funds from flowing to non-state armed groups and connected entities.

12. Upon the signing of this Framework, the two countries will work to establish working groups to draft the full comprehensive peace and security agreement. Moreover, to achieve the goals of the Framework, the two governments will immediately establish complementary tracks of ongoing direct engagement, facilitated by the United States. The two governments commit to proceeding in good faith until a full and lasting peace is achieved, bringing security, stability, and prosperity to the people of Israel and Lebanon.

13. In line with their shared goals to establish stable and peaceful relations, Israel and Lebanon commit to take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent, including the cessation of all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora, and pledge to work towards the search for and return of remains and the release of detainees.

14. The two governments acknowledge the role of the United States in supporting their efforts to end decades of conflict and establish lasting stability and comprehensive peace between the two countries and express their deep appreciation for the vision and leadership of President Donald J. Trump.

Signed at Washington D.C. on the 26th of June, 2026, in three originals, in the English language.

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️ The Lebanese and Israelis were supposed to discuss deconfliction mechanisms this week at the State Department. Instead, a new coordination cell has been announced that includes Lebanon, Iran, the United States, and the mediators — but not Israel.

Whether this was coordinated with Secretary Rubio remains unclear. But it raises an obvious question: if these issues are now being handled through this new mechanism, what exactly are the Lebanese and Israeli negotiators supposed to discuss this week?

[Joyce Karam @Joyce_Karam]

Why Trump's Syria "take care of Hezbollah" in Lebanon is a dangerous fantasy
• Fuel Syria-Lebanon animosity
• Empower Hezbollah
• Weaken Lebanese army + Gov
• Destabilize Syria, Lebanon
• Trigger Sunni-Shia conflict
• History shows ineffectiveness https://t.co/OeLlAhVwCU

[Nada Maucourant Atallah @MaucourantNada]

Reporting from the historic city of Tyre for @TheNationalNews. We saw clear damage at one of the archaeological sites, where wreckage was scattered among ancient Roman ruins and a column had been broken by an Israeli strike on Sunday. The attack targeted, and completely obliterated, a heritage house just a few metres away.
The area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which legally protects landmarks or areas legally because of their “outstanding value to humanity.”

[Joyce Karam @Joyce_Karam]

What a scoop from Reuters: UAE to unlock up to $20 billions of dollars for Iran https://t.co/dAFnWn2Jz3

[Financial Times @FT]

French prosecutors brought preliminary charges against HSBC's Swiss division over allegations it helped former Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh embezzle funds. https://t.co/bQb90YBksP

[كريم صفي الدين - Karim Safieddine @safieddine00]

What basically happened is that Netanyahu raised the bar so high in the past few days (threatening mass bombing of Beirut) that he was able to market that keeping things as they already are in Lebanon is an achievement. Iran's also taking credit.

It's a circus performance.

[Nada Maucourant Atallah @MaucourantNada]

Israel is carrying out its deepest ground incursion into south Lebanon in decades.
It now appears to be moving to encircle Nabatieh, a key gateway between southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley

Civil Defence officials told us that Israeli troops have taken Zawtar, Yahmor and Arnoun, only a few kilometres from the city. Almost all civilians have fled in recent days. Rescuers have stayed behind.
https://t.co/iaiRQG9fw8

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️ On Wednesday, a Lebanese woman boarded a plane with her 2 children, preparing to leave because she wasn’t sure whether Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be extended.

Moments before departure, she received a call informing her that TPS had in fact been extended, giving her the chance to step off the plane with her children & stay.

Having said that, credit is due to the Lebanese Ambassador here, who worked tirelessly to help make this happen despite the administration’s previous position on these programs.

[Joyce Karam @Joyce_Karam]

⚡️EXCLUSIVE: Inside details on what went wrong in US-Israel plan for regime change in #Iran, Netanyahu's dilemma, increasing alarm of looming deal. 'Trump hit the brakes': https://t.co/7fWPTTagmh

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️ 200 social, and civic figures from Nabatieh declared the city open to the Lebanese state & its official security forces.

The move reflects a growing public call for state authority & legitimacy in Southern Lebanon, despite significant challenges on the ground & the likelihood of a response from Hezbollah.

[Tala Ramadan @TalaRamadan]

May 25 (Reuters) - Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that conclusions have been reached on many topics discussed in a potential memorandum of understanding with the U.S., but this does not mean Tehran is close to signing an agreement.

[Secretary Marco Rubio @SecRubio]

The U.S. stands firmly with the legitimate Government of Lebanon as it works to restore its authority and build a better future for all its people. Hizballah's threats of violence and overthrow will not be allowed to succeed. The era in which a terrorist group held an entire nation hostage is coming to an end.

[Hiba Nasr @HibaNasr]

‼️ As per a U.S. official to Barak Ravid:

• The U.S. & Iran would sign a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), extendable by mutual consent.

• During the 60 days:
— The Strait of Hormuz would reopen.
— Iran would be able to freely sell oil.
— Negotiations would take place on curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

• The Strait of Hormuz would reopen with no tolls, and Iran would clear the mines it deployed to allow free passage of ships.

• In exchange, the U.S. would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and issue sanctions waivers allowing Iran to export oil freely.

• The faster Iran clears the mines and restores shipping, the faster the U.S. blockade would be lifted.

• Trump’s key principle in the agreement: “relief for performance.”

• Iran sought immediate unfreezing of funds and permanent sanctions relief, but the U.S. insisted this would only come after tangible concessions.

• Nuclear issues would still be negotiated, but the draft MOU includes Iranian commitments:
— Never to pursue nuclear weapons.
— To negotiate a suspension of uranium enrichment.
— To negotiate the removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

• According to two other sources, Iran gave verbal commitments through mediators regarding the scope of concessions it is willing to make on enrichment and nuclear material.

• The U.S. would negotiate sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian funds during the 60-day period, but implementation would only happen under a verifiable final agreement.

• U.S. forces deployed in recent months would remain in the region during the 60 days and withdraw only if a final deal is reached.

• The draft MOU also states that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end.

• The agreement would not be a “one-sided ceasefire.” If Hezbollah attempts to rearm or launch attacks, Israel would be permitted to act: “If Hezbollah behaves, Israel will behave.

[Barak Ravid @BarakRavid]

🚨Trump told Netanyahu that the mediators were working on a "letter of intent" that both the U.S. and Iran would sign to formally end the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations on issues like Iran's nuclear program and opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. source said