Beirut – News Agency nabakhabar

Armed man holds Lebanon bank staff hostage, demands savings

News Agency nabakhabar — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 11:46:57 +0000

A man armed with a shotgun is holding staff hostage at a bank in crisis-hit Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, threatening to set himself ablaze with gasoline unless he receives his trapped savings, according to a security official.

The man entered a branch of the Federal Bank in Beirut’s bustling Hamra district on Thursday carrying a canister of gasoline. He was holding six or seven bank employees hostage, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The man also fired three warning shots, the official said. Local media reported he has about $200,000 stuck in the bank.

Members of the Lebanese army secure the area near Federal bank in Beirut, Lebanon 
[Issam Abdallah/Reuters]

Authorities were attempting to negotiate with the man, as army soldiers, police officers from the country’s Internal Security Forces, and intelligence agents surrounded the area.

Banks in Lebanon, which is suffering from the worst economic crisis in its modern history, have implemented strict withdrawal limits on foreign currency assets, effectively freezing the savings of many citizens, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reported from Beirut.

“Banks have imposed informal capital controls for nearly three years. In late 2019, people were locked out from their savings. A few months later they started to impose limits on withdrawals as well. And if you had a (US) dollar account, they would disperse their money in Lebanese currency which has really devalued,” she said, adding that the value of the Lebanese pound has declined by over 90 percent against the US dollar.

The crisis has left two-thirds of the population living in poverty, but foreign governments have avoided investing or bailing out the cash-strapped country without commitments to reforms to address corruption.

Members of the Lebanese army secure the area outside the Federal bank in Beirut, 
Lebanon [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]

Cellphone video footage of the incident showed the man demanding his money. In another video, two police officers behind the locked bank entrance asked the man to release at least one of the hostages, but he refused.

“What we understand from people who are talking to him, because a negotiator on behalf of the government is now inside, trying to negotiate with the armed man to lay down his weapons. He is disgruntled. He is angry,” Khodr said. “He’s demanding his money because he hasn’t been able to find a job. This is the information we’re getting from second-hand sources. (He is) a disgruntled depositor who believes that this is his money, it is his right to have access to his money.”

She added it was the second time in recent months the man had held bank employees hostage in the country while demanding his money.

“A man a few months ago held hostage bank employers in the east of the country. He demanded his money, fifty thousand dollars because it was his savings. He couldn’t survive any longer,” she said. “He later surrendered and he also gave back the money. And after a while, the judge released him from prison.”

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Iran’s FM, Lebanese President Meet in Beirut

News Agency nabakhabar — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 20:00:49 +0000

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun in Beirut on Thursday.

The two sides underlined elevating the level of interaction and cooperation between Iran and Lebanon in various economic, political and cultural fields.

Amirabdollahian and Aoun also discussed bilateral and regional developments and issues like resistance against the Zionist regime’s threats.

In the meeting, the Iranian top diplomat stressed the Islamic Republic’s support for Lebanon’s independence and territorial integrity.

Amirabdollahian is also scheduled to hold talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his counterpart Abdullah Bou Habib during his stay in the Arab country.

Upon his arrival in Beirut earlier today, he said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will powerfully stand by its allies in the region and we will continue our support for the Lebanese independence, security and sovereignty.

Pointing to a social media campaign launched ahead of his visit in appreciation of Iran’s assistance to Lebanon in breaking the United States’ economic siege, Amirabdollahian said Tehran has even “better new offers” if the Lebanese officials make a request.

He said the Islamic Republic also stood ready to “continue on the previous path,” referring to recent energy sales to Lebanon, as long as Beirut kept up the demand, and also lend a helping hand to the Arab nation in other fields.

“This trip is indicative of deep and friendly ties between the two countries, and we support Lebanon’s army, people, and resistance with a strong voice,” he added.

The US re-imposed its sanctions on Iran in 2018 after illegally leaving a historic nuclear accord between the Islamic Republic and world countries.

It has been enforcing similar measures against Lebanon for more than a year to pressure the country over the influence wielded in its political and military sectors by Hezbollah. In the 2000s, the movement fought off two major wars on Lebanon that had been waged by the Israeli regime, Washington’s most treasured ally in the region.

The sanctions have taken a huge toll on the Lebanese economy, leading to an acute shortage of staples, including gasoline and diesel.

As the energy crisis escalated, Hezbollah intervened and began importing Iranian fuel to prevent Washington from further interfering with the Lebanese people’s livelihoods.

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US backers in Beirut should consider Afghanistan experience

News Agency nabakhabar — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:51:13 +0000

Referring to Iran’s unwavering supports for its allies, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said that those who rely on Americans and their embassy in Beirut should take the Afghanistan experience into consideration.

Speaking on Wednesday on the Day of Ashura, the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah hailed the persistence and firmness of Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation, saying that confronting the Zionist regime is at the top of priorities.

According to Al-Manar, Nasrallah renewed the call for world peoples to support the right of the Palestinian people to restore their land from the river to the sea.

“We are looking forward to the day when the Zionist invaders will withdraw from Palestine since this is the end to all occupiers and invaders,” he said.

Nasrallah also hailed the Iraqi resistance for expressing its readiness to protect the holy sites in Palestine. “Zionists fear the resistance of Iraq and any Iraqi role in a major war.”

“Commodities and properties of this region should be exclusively for its people, far from all forms of American hegemony and looting,” he added.

Hezbollah Secretary-General went on to say, “In Iraq, thanks to the blessed blood of two martyred leaders, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Hajj Qassem Soleimani, it was decided that the American combat forces would leave the land of Iraq starting now until the end of the year.”

“After the US defeat in Afghanistan, eyes are drawn toward the US occupation in Iraq and Syria,” Nasrallah said.

He urged the strengthening of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization units, saying that they constitute a guarantee for Iraq in the face of any threat.

“The US pretext to stay in Northern Syria is to help fight ISIL, which is a flimsy and false claim,” he noted. “US forces facilitate the increase of ISIL and help it move from one region to another.”

Nasrallah also pointed to the Yemen war, saying, “The hegemonic Saudi war in Yemen should be put to an end.”

He also reiterated his stance in support of the oppressed people of Bahrain, whose scholars are being imprisoned.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Hezbollah Secretary-General pointed to the situation in Lebanon, saying, “The millions of liters of gasoline and diesel which the Lebanese army unveiled confirms that the crisis was created on purpose. The Lebanese state and security forces must put these monopolists in prisons.”

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah also spoke about the fuel crisis in this country, adding, “The first ship carrying fuel that will depart from Iran has completed all the arrangements and will sail within hours. This ship will be followed by others soon.”

Addressing the US and the Zionist regime, Nasrallah said, “From the first moment the Iranian ship sails, we will consider it a Lebanese territory. We do not allow the humiliation of our people, let no one dare to challenge us.”

Nasrallah extended his appreciation to Ayatollah Khamenei and the Iranian President for their permanent support for Lebanon. “Despite the siege, sanctions and pressure on Iran, it has never abandoned or let down its allies and friends.”

“For 40 years, Iran has never interfered in Lebanese affairs, and our decision is in our own hands,” he highlighted.

“Those who rely on Americans and their embassy in Beirut should take the Afghanistan experience into consideration. Their [American] police dogs are closer to them than you are,” Nasrallah said addressing those dependent on the Americans.

“The only option before the Lebanese are to meet and cooperate in order to save our country,” he stressed. “Let no one try us in any war, whether military, economic or security.”

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Hezbollah calls for restoring security in Beirut after mayhem

News Agency nabakhabar — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 19:23:20 +0000

Local Lebanese sources say that unknown gunmen started shooting at a funeral held for a fighter of resistance Hezbollah in the south of Beirut in Khalde region on Sunday, killing and wounding dozens.

The shooting took place during the funeral of Lebanese Hezbollah member Ali Shebli at his home.

According to “elnashra” website, the shooting caused a lot of fear and panic among the residents of this area. The Khaldeh route to Beirut is said to have been closed at the moment, the report added.

The reason for the closure of this route is “mass shooting”, it also said, adding many people on the road abandoned their cars and fled.

Another Lebanese website by the name of “Unews” said the mourners were “ambushed” and at least two people were killed and several others were injured.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In response, Hezbollah issued a statement stressing that Shebli’s bodyguards were ambushed.

Two people were killed and several others were injured when gunmen opened fire in the area, the statement said.

Hezbollah called on the army and security forces to take immediate action to ensure security, saying it was following the issue closely.

The movement also stressed the need to act as soon as possible to arrest the criminal perpetrators and arrest and bring them to justice.

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Beirut blast fatalities reach 190

News Agency nabakhabar — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 21:39:32 +0000

According to the authorities, three people are still missing, while 300 others were left homeless and more than 50,000 houses were damaged by the explosion, the Sputnik reported.

A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital.

The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left homeless.

Local authorities said the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago.

Lebanese president said that the officials are looking into possible “external interference” in addition to simple negligence for the incident.

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Rouhani voices Iran’s readiness for helping Lebanese people

News Agency nabakhabar — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 17:38:17 +0000

Expressing sympathy with Lebanese government and nation, Rouhani said, “Iranian government and nation, as always, will stand by the dear people of Lebanon, and the Iranian government is ready to send any medical and food consignments.”

“Iran’s foreign and health ministers, as well as the head of the Red Crescent, have been tasked with keeping in touch with their counterparts so that we can provide any assistance to the Lebanon’s people quickly,” he added.

He went on to wish a speedy recovery for those injured.

Praising Iranian government and people’s sympathy over the Beirut explosion, Michel Aoun, for his part, said, “The Lebanese people have always appreciated the attention and love of the Iranian people and government.”

“Naturally, it takes time to investigate all the dimensions of this incident and to summarize the damages,” he added.

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Iran ready to dispatch medical equipment to Beirut: Hatami

News Agency nabakhabar — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 17:13:37 +0000

He made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Lebanese Minister of Defense Zeina Akar on Wed.

The two sides discussed the catastrophic explosion that occurred in Beirut Port and the way of sending humanitarian aid to the injured.

While expressing his condolences and sympathy with the government, Armed Forces and people of Lebanon, Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that Iranian government and Armed Forces are ready to send emergency aids to the injured of the incident and added, “Iran’s medical aids include a mobile hospital which is ready for sending to Lebanon.”

For her part, Lebanese Minister of Defense Zeina Akar expressed her thanks for expressing sympathy and humanitarian contributions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Lebanon.

On Tuesday afternoon, a massive explosion rocked Beirut with the force of an earthquake followed by a shock wave that devastated much of the city leading to the death of at least 135 people and injury of more than 5,000 others.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Officials linked the blast to some 2,750 tons of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were being stored in a warehouse at the port for six years.

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Iran Voices Support for Lebanese Gov’t, Nation

News Agency nabakhabar — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:31:47 +0000

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Jalal Firouznia expressed his country’s preparedness to help and support the Lebanese nation and government, and added that Tehran is seeking Lebanese national unity.

Firouznia made the remarks in a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab in Beirut on Thursday, noting that Iran’s support for and cooperation with the Lebanese government are in line with the interests of Beirut.

During the meeting, the Iranian ambassador said that Iran will always stand by the Lebanese government and nation.

Firouznia also voiced Tehran’s support for Beirut against the threats and aggression by Israel.

The Lebanese prime minister, for his part, appreciated Iran’s support for Lebanon.

Diab said that the broadening of relations with Iran is the top priority of his country.

In relevant remarks on July 8, Iran’s Cultural Attaché to Lebanon Abbas Khamehyar and Chancellor of Saint Joseph University of Beirut Salim Daccache explored avenues for exchange of professors and students and setting up a Persian language course at the university.

Khamehyar described Saint Joseph University of Beirut as one of the successful universities of Lebanon with about 50 to 60 Iranian students and cultural figures, including the late Sadeq Ayenehvand, a well-known Iranian historian who was a graduate of Saint Joseph University.

Currently, dozens of universities across the world are running Persian language courses, he said, voicing readiness for setting up the Persian language department at the university and sending professors.

Salim Daccache, for his part, described Iranian students as among the most talented students of the university.

Welcoming proposal for academic cooperation, he added that online education can be placed on agenda amid coronavirus spread.

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