Libanon

Lebanon’s foreign minister urged Syria on Monday to offer guarantees on property rights and military service to encourage Syrian refugees to return home.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed, on Friday, the announcement of a new Government in Lebanon; the result of eight months of negotiation, following general elections last May.

Lebanon announced a government line-up Thursday, ending an eight-month wait that had heightened fears of a major economic collapse. The new cabinet, unveiled during a press conference at the presidential palace, includes 30 ministers from Lebanon's rival political clans.

Israel says it has completely dismantled a series of tunnels under its border with Lebanon, which it claims were dug by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. … Israel launched "Operation Northern Shield" on December 4 to find and destroy what it described as a vast network, with troops finding six tunnels in total.

The country's parliamentary elections in May were the first for nine years but lawmakers have since failed to form a government. In mid-November, Hariri accused his main political rival — the Shiite movement Hezbollah — of obstructing the formation of a new cabinet.