Beirut

Capital of Lebanon

Beirut is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities: it is mentioned as early as in diplomatic correspondence dating to the 14th century BCE. During Roman times, the city became renowned for its school of law, considered one of the finest in the empire, until it was destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 551. Following the Arab conquest in the 7th century, Beirut passed under the rule of various Muslim dynasties and the Ottoman Empire. In 1920, the French Mandate administration made Beirut the capital of the newly created Greater Lebanon, and in 1943 the city became the capital of an independent state. The 1975–1990 civil war caused enormous destruction to the city, while the 2020 port explosion became one of the largest non-nuclear disasters in history. A shipment containing thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port. More than two hundred people were killed in the blast. According to various estimates, the city’s population ranges from 900,000 to 2 million people.

635

Arab conquest

1920

Capital of the French Mandate of Greater Lebanon

1943

Capital of independent Lebanon

1975–1990

Destruction during the civil war

2020

Beirut port explosion

News by theme

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon - death toll exceeds 50

Lebanon's Ministry of Health reports 52 dead and 154 wounded as a result of Israeli airstrikes. Israel's attacks were a response to rocket launches by the Hezbollah group.

War in Ukraine • March 2, 06:45 PM • 9830 views

The war in the Middle East has led to numerous civilian and military casualties in six countries

The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States has resulted in the deaths of over 100 female students in Iran and 10 people in Israel. In total, numerous civilian and military casualties have been recorded in six countries in the region.

News of the World • March 2, 07:40 AM • 8623 views

Middle East awoke to a wave of new strikes - what you need to know

Residents of the Persian Gulf countries awoke to explosions after night attacks, in which Hezbollah intervened in the conflict. Explosions were recorded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Lebanon, Israel, Kuwait, Iran, and Cyprus.

News of the World • March 2, 06:22 AM • 10250 views

Major airlines are massively canceling flights to the Middle East due to the situation in the region

Due to US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory measures, 8 Middle Eastern countries have closed their airspace. This has led to mass flight cancellations by many major airlines.

News of the World • February 28, 02:11 PM • 11447 views

Netanyahu and Trump to discuss Gaza ceasefire amid fears of renewed fighting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting comes amid fears of renewed regional fighting and criticism from Arab partners regarding Israeli strikes.

News of the World • December 29, 12:38 PM • 4599 views