Lebanese intelligence chiefs told to stem fuel drain on Syrian border

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France uneasy with Hezbollah's energy-fuelled ambitions 

In the run-up to its operation to truck in Iranian fuel to help ease Lebanon's energy crisis, Hezbollah took stock of which organisations and businesses to supply. It even contacted entities that it does not control, some of which are close to French interests.

Iraq-Lebanon oil deal stuck between a rock and a hard place 

Baghdad wants payment in kind for its fuel in the form of Lebanese medical expertise or food products - which crisis-ridden Beirut is not well placed to provide.

Paris keeps mum on list of sanctioned individuals 

Three individuals either close to or members of the Free Patriotic Movement led by Gebran Bassil are allegedly on the French foreign ministry's secret list of Lebanese citizens banned from entering French soil, measures France would like to extend further.

Alma centre offers platform for ex-intelligence agents to express their views 

The research centre that relays Israel's anti-Iran rhetoric has picked up on a French political magazine's piece on Hezbollah in France, revealing a network of former intelligence officers who contribute to its reports.

Belgian-Lebanese agent Georges Chebib struggles to convince in Paris 

Businessman Georges Chebib has recently been doing the rounds of French companies to tout his services as an agent in Qatar. But after a number of setbacks with other agents in the emirate, French executives are wary.

Qaiwan, the Iraqi oil firm behind Lebanon swap solution 

So that it can fulfil its commitment to supply Beirut with oil to help ease the country's energy crisis, Irak has called in trader Qaiwan to set up a swap system as Kudistan crude is too high in sulphur to be used in Lebanon's power plants.

Abbas Ibrahim key to Beirut-Baghdad oil deal 

Lebanese spymaster Abbas Ibrahim has played a vital role in ongoing plans to export Iraqi oil to Beirut, discussing the arrangement with officials in Damascus, Cairo and even Washington.

Rahmehs still at heart of Beirut's energy business 

Despite their involvement in the delivery of adulterated oil to Lebanon, brothers Raymond and Teddy Rahmeh still occupy a key role in the supply chain.

Maher refuses to submit to Moscow 

The differences between Maher al-Assad and Russia continue (IOL 855), [...]