1- An-Nahar Headline: Lebanese Army’s Plan to Decide the Country’s Direction Today

The high sensitivity and precision controlling the internal atmosphere before today’s Cabinet session to review the army command’s plan regarding the implementation of the decision to monopolize weapons by the state were clearly reflected in the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi’s wish yesterday that “they reach an understanding,” pointing out the “very delicate situation of Hezbollah.”

2- Washington Warns: Time is Running Out for Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah

The New York Times reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump warned, ahead of an important ministerial meeting in Beirut on Friday, that time is running out for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah before facing risks of losing US and Gulf financial support and possibly a renewed Israeli military campaign.

3- Kremlin: No Security Guarantees for Ukraine and Talks with Trump “Not on the Table” Currently

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed today, Friday, that “the West cannot provide security guarantees for Ukraine through foreign military forces.” Peskov emphasized that guarantees must include both Ukraine and Russia together.

4- In Pictures – Biden Underwent Surgery to Remove Cancerous Cells

NBC News reported on Thursday, quoting a spokesperson for former US President Joe Biden, that he recently underwent surgery to remove cancerous cells from his skin and is recovering well. This surgery is common for treating the most widespread skin cancers.

5- Continuous Rise in Gold Prices… How Much Did It Reach Today?

Gold prices rose today, Friday, heading for the best weekly gains in three months due to increased expectations of a US interest rate cut this month, while attention turns to US non-farm payroll data to be released later today.

Selected Articles from An-Nahar Today:

Written by Nabil Boumonsef: The Moment of Truth Indeed… for the Lebanese Army

The Lebanese army, unlike all Arab armies with different nature, function, role, and influence as they are mostly regime armies, has always been the only institution in Lebanon that enjoys the sympathy and respect of the Lebanese people even during its weak periods and times under the pressure of the trials that have shaken it and Lebanon.

Written by Adel Ben Hamza: Monopoly of Weapons… A Test of the National State

From the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq to the deterrent forces in western Libya, passing through Hezbollah’s weapons in Lebanon and the weapons of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Druze, and Alawites in Syria, not to mention the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, the common denominator among these countries is the existence of duality in the monopoly of violence between the state and other organizations with ethnic, sectarian, and regional dimensions with political agendas involving external actors within the framework of arrangements known in the region at the geo-strategic level.

Written by Ragheb Jaber: Sectarian and Religious Speech Without Masks

Lebanese people no longer hold back their hostile feelings towards each other, feelings that were often latent, concealed by politeness, diplomatic language, mutual interests, and a conciliatory discourse whose proponents sensed the danger of slipping into uncontrollable conflicts that cannot be easily restrained.

Written by Samih Saab: Hamas More in Tune with Trump than Netanyahu: Does the “Comprehensive Deal” Stop Gaza Occupation and Recognitions?

All proposals to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and release Israeli prisoners revolve in a vicious circle because they collide with one knot: Israel’s demand that Hamas relinquish its security and political control over the sector and leave it as part of any agreement, while the movement insists on linking the release of all Israelis to a final end to the war.

Written by Basel Al-Aridi: Russian-Chinese Partnership Leads the “Axis of Turmoil” Towards a New World Order

China commemorated its victory over Japan in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing with the largest military parade in the country’s history, showcasing weapons entering service or announced for the first time, specifically in the technical and cyber fields, and other naval weapons. However, the grand military scene that lasted more than an hour was accompanied by a political display of no less importance, possibly carrying a message more significant than the military parade itself.

Written by Jad Fayyad: Security Change in Sweida… Does It Open the Door to Solutions?

The Syrian authorities have started taking measures related to Sweida and its future, with features resembling attempts to bridge the gap deepened by recent clashes and violations. The latest of these measures was appointing Hussam Al-Tahan as the commander of the internal security forces in Sweida, replacing Ahmad Al-Dallati, in a step carrying symbolic significance due to Al-Tahan’s role in the recent Jaramana clashes.

Written by Karima Dghrach: Leaked Intimate Photos of Dozens of Tunisian Women: Victims of Cyber Violence Spark Widespread Anger

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was not the only one to find herself a victim of leaked sexual photos on websites; dozens of Tunisian women also fell victim to similar leaks on groups on the Telegram app, in an incident that sparked wide debate about the phenomenon of digital violence that affects women more than other groups.