Lebanese, especially Muslims, are preparing to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan tomorrow, surrounded by the flames of soaring prices on one hand and the fires of shells on the other.

The economic downturn and the war in the south were highlighted in the speech of the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, who said, "For years, politicians have been chewing on the talk about the crime of the port, the confiscation of people's money in banks, crumbling institutions, and continuous emigration." Regarding Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, he pointed out that "we thought that UN Resolution 1701 would protect Lebanon, but that was not true because the Zionist enemy does not abide by it, and it violates all international decisions by its aggression against Lebanon, killing our sons, destroying our homes. Thus, any attack on any area in Lebanon is an attack on all of Lebanon, and what happens of aggression in the south is the responsibility of decision-makers in the international community."

He considered that "Lebanon is in danger, and the main reason is the presidential vacuum, as electing a president is the first step towards building the state."

Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi and Metropolitan Elias Audi also addressed the presidential file. Al-Rahi said, "In Lebanon, we seek to avoid slipping into this blind and spiteful war, protect the south and citizens, and immediately proceed to elect a president for the republic to ensure the regularity of the parliament, the government, and all constitutional institutions." He added, "From this perspective, we look positively at the initiative of the National Moderation Bloc and the efforts of the Quintet Ambassadors Committee, hoping for their success and thanking them for their efforts and sacrifices."

Audi said, "Citizens are suffering while those in power live in a world far from reality, in the absence of a president whom the deputies have not seen the necessity to elect." He asked, "Has a citizen held a deputy accountable for failing to perform this duty?"

While the presidential initiative of the National Moderation Bloc is still ongoing, it is learned that Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri received a phone call from French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, during which they discussed the necessity of dialogue and consensus to elect a president as soon as possible to confront the accumulated challenges on various fronts. The call was described as part of accompanying diplomatic efforts to find a presidential solution.

Away from politics, the southern region witnessed tension manifested by Israeli forces targeting border areas, and Hezbollah's response by targeting Israeli military sites.

The Israeli army announced that it is "conducting multi-branch supply exercises under fire as part of preparations for the ground maneuver on the northern front."

Regionally, as the international community continues its efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to besieged civilians threatened with famine on the eve of Ramadan in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and ground battles continue for the 156th day.

Hopes for reaching a ceasefire by Ramadan have diminished. In this context, Hamas political bureau member Hussam Badran revealed that the return date of the movement's negotiating delegation to Cairo has not been determined to resume ceasefire talks.

He said, "There is no news," and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to respond to "fair" demands regarding Gaza's basic needs.

During a tour of the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that plans to provide assistance to Gaza through a temporary port established by the United States "will help collapse Hamas rule."

Responding to U.S. President Joe Biden's statement that Netanyahu "harms Israel more than benefits it" in managing the war in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "I do not know what President Biden meant, but if he meant that I am leading a policy against the majority of public opinion in Israel and that this affects Israel's interests, then he is mistaken."

Meanwhile, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his country's regret for the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip. He said, "It pains us that the month of Ramadan comes amid what our brothers in Palestine are suffering."

He emphasized the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to stop Israel's brutal crimes, referring to the ongoing military operations for months. He stressed the necessity of providing safe humanitarian corridors and relief to Palestinians in the Strip.

Internationally, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a budget agreement after it was approved by the Senate to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government.

Members of both the Republican and Democratic parties approved the package worth $467.5 billion, despite Republican objections to some expenditures.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski revealed that military personnel from NATO countries are already present in Ukraine without specifying their countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on Sikorski's statement, saying, "They can no longer hide it anymore."

In the same context, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto affirmed that "sending Western forces to Ukraine will lead to escalation, making it impossible to reach a diplomatic solution," amid increasing speculation about such a move in recent times.

Economically,the Beirut Stock Exchange recorded the following:

Solidere A:

75.15 -0.75 (-0.99%)

Solidere B:

72.65 0.00 (0.00%)

Economically ,this is what the global markets recorded:

Americas

INDU:IND
DOW JONES INDUS. AVG 39,131.53 +62.42
SPX:IND
S&P 500 INDEX 5,088.80 +1.77
CCMP:IND
NASDAQ COMPOSITE 15,996.82 -44.80
NYA:IND
NYSE COMPOSITE INDEX 17,616.02 +50.95
SPTSX:IND
S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEX 21,413.15 +95.07

Europe, Middle East & Africa

SX5E:IND
Euro Stoxx 50 Pr 4,872.57 +17.21
UKX:IND
FTSE 100 INDEX 7,706.28 +21.79
DAX:IND
DAX INDEX 17,419.33 +48.88
CAC:IND
CAC 40 INDEX 7,966.68 +55.08
IBEX:IND
IBEX 35 INDEX 10,130.60 -8.30
Asia Pacific

NKY:IND
NIKKEI 225 39,098.68 +836.52
TPX:IND
TOPIX INDEX (TOKYO) 2,660.71 +33.41
HSI:IND
HANG SENG INDEX 16,725.86 -17.09
SHSZ300:IND
CSI 300 INDEX 3,489.74 +3.07
AS51:IND
S&P/ASX 200 INDEX 7,643.59 +32.34
MXAP:IND
MSCI AC ASIA PACIFIC 173.01 +0.13

Bank Audi SAL

Latest Trade
2.35 USD
Today's Range
2.35 - 2.35

52 Week Range
1.50 - 2.40

Previous Close
2.35
Open
2.35
Volume
1,350.00
3 Month Average Trading Volume
0.02

Oil Prices:

WTI CRUDE
78.01 -1.17%

BRENT CRUDE
82.08 -1.06%

MURBAN CRUDE
82.46 -0.96%

NATURAL GAS
1.805 -0.72%