Hezbollah, one of Lebanon's most powerful political players, has been significantly weakened by its conflict with Israel.

The Israeli military also moved into dozens of new positions across southern Lebanon in the first 40 days of the ceasefire.

In Lebanon, many saw the election on Thursday of Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese military, as a crucial step toward bringing stability to the country. It was also seen as a concession by Hezbollah and, some analysts said, an acknowledgment that the group was no longer in a position to paralyze the state.

The new leadership in Lebanon may bring much needed positive change to the country - and that may spread to the rest of the region.

The head of an American organisation focused on hostage releases said on Monday he believes U.S. journalist Austin Tice was still being held in Syria by people loyal to toppled leader Bashar al-Assad.

Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice, won enough support to become Lebanon's next prime minister after a majority of lawmakers backed him for the post on Monday, a big blow to Hezbollah which accused opponents of working to exclude it.

The Lebanese parliament finally voted on a new president on Thursday following two years of deadlock. Joseph Aoun the head of the country's armed forces won a majority of the votes.

Only peacekeepers, Lebanese military should be in the area, says Guterres, calling for end to Israeli 'occupation'; Macron, Aoun also demand IDF withdraw, as Jan. 26 deadline looms

Amid Israel's fragile ceasefire, General Amir Avivi urges action against Iran, Hezbollah, and HTS, while stressing US-led coalitions and the Abraham Accords for long-term Middle East stability As a seemingly fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas finishes its first full day,

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday his hands were "extended to everyone", in a gesture to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group that accused opponents of seeking to exclude it by nominating him for the post.

The announcement from Washington comes as Lebanon seeks to implement the flimsy ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The latter has been considerably weakened following the conflict with Israel tha

The Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, arrived today in Lebanon with the aim of visiting the Spanish military participating in the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL), a few days before the two-month ceasefire agreement reached with Israel to end the fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.