Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday said his country was ready to help Lebanon rebuild Beirut port and set up two power plants, if it is asked.
Mr Amirabdollahian made the comments during an official visit to Lebanon, where he met President Michel Aoun, a key ally of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the armed group’s Shiite ally, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
It is the second high-profile visit by a foreign dignitary to Lebanon since the new government was formed. Mr Amirabdollahian later held talks with his counterpart Abdullah Bou Habib.
“We are fully prepared to restore Beirut port if the Lebanese side makes the request,” he said, after meeting the Lebanese foreign minister. The Iranian official added that Iranian companies were also ready to build two power plants, with 1,000 megawatts capacity, to provide crisis-hit Lebanon with electricity within 18 months.
Mr Aoun said the Iranian foreign minister expressed his country's strong support for Lebanon, which in turn, backs Iran's efforts to mend ties among regional players, especially Arab nations.
Later, in a veiled criticism of the US, Mr Amirabdollahian accused foreign powers of undermining the region.
“Regional issues should be addressed by the regional countries themselves,” he said, after meeting Mr Berri. “Foreign forces” were creating an atmosphere of uncertainty, he said.
During his meeting with the Iranian official, Mr Mikati said Lebanon welcomed any assistance “as long as it falls within the context of preserving the notion of the state and its constitutional institutions, its role in providing security and protection, and the strengthening of its legitimate security and military forces”.
Mr Mikati welcomed any rapprochement between Iran and Arab states, which he said would reflect positively on the region and Lebanon.
The foreign minister's visit came weeks after Iran started delivering fuel to Hezbollah through Syria in defiance of US sanctions, a move that experts say reflects Iran’s growing influence in Lebanon.
Mr Mikati earlier said his government did not approve of the Iranian fuel shipments that have been transported into the country through illegal border crossings.
Hezbollah says the fuel deliveries are aimed at alleviating shortages that have hit industries in the country.
The shortages have intensified in recent months after the Central Bank cut its subsidies of fuel imports to protect its dwindling currency reserves.
The shortages have led to prolonged power cuts, prompting Lebanon’s energy minister to seek support from Egypt and Jordan.
Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh visited Beirut last week to discuss a deal to provide electricity and gas to Lebanon through Jordan and Syria.
The visit was the first by a senior foreign government official since Mr Mikati assumed his duties after a year of political paralysis that has accelerated the country's financial meltdown.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi told The National he was confident the US would allow Jordan to supply electricity to Lebanon by giving the necessary waivers from sanctions it has imposed on the Syrian regime.
Syria's energy minister said on Wednesday his government had begun repairing a power line that connects the three countries.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (11.30pm)
Saturday Freiburg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund, Cologne v Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld v Mainz (6.30pm) Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (9.30pm)
Sunday Werder Bremen v Stuttgart (6.30pm), Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (9pm)
Monday Hoffenheim v Augsburg (11.30pm)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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FIGHT CARD
Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)
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Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)
Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)
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