Lebanon's Saad Hariri withdraws from politics


Sunniva Rose
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Three-time prime minister Saad Hariri announced on Monday that he had suspended his participation in Lebanese politics and would not run in the coming elections, in a widely anticipated move that leaves the Sunni Muslim community with no clear leader as the country struggles with its worst economic crisis to date.

In an emotional address, Mr Hariri asked members of his political party, the Future Movement, to also withdraw from politics. Mr Hariri, 51, said the party would not present candidates in the elections in May.

“I announce my suspension from politics and I ask my family in the Future Movement to do the same,” he said. “I am not presenting myself as a candidate in the parliamentary elections and am not presenting any candidates from the Future Movement or in the name of the Future Movement.”

Speculation about Mr Hariri's intentions has been rife in Beirut since his return on Wednesday from a several-month stay in the UAE.

A veteran politician, Mr Hariri succeeded his late father and former prime minister Rafik Hariri when he was assassinated in 2005 as the leader of the Future Movement, which largely represents Lebanon's Sunni Muslim community.

'It wasn't written'

Visibly tearing up at the end of his speech, Mr Hariri recognised that he had failed to improve living conditions for the Lebanese population. The country's economic meltdown has pushed over three quarters of the population into poverty.

“The project of Rafik Hariri can be summarised in two ideas. First, stopping the civil war in Lebanon, and secondly, a better life for the Lebanese,” he said, referring to his father acceding the premiership in the aftermath of the country's 1975-1990 bloody civil war. “It wasn’t written for me that I would succeed in the second one.”

Mr Hariri blamed political compromise for his failures, including accepting the election of President Michel Aoun, who is allied with the Future Movement's political rival, Iran-backed Hezbollah.

These deals “may be the reason why I didn’t succeed in giving the Lebanese a get a better life. History will judge,” he said.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was visibly emotional as he announced he is suspending his work in politics and will not run in May's parliamentary elections. AP
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was visibly emotional as he announced he is suspending his work in politics and will not run in May's parliamentary elections. AP

Mr Hariri recognised losses in his personal finances and “friendships abroad”, in a thinly-veiled allusion to Gulf states distancing themselves from him for cosying up to Hezbollah in the past years.

Mr Hariri's businesses, mostly inherited from his billionaire father, have faced difficulties, including the closure of the family's construction company in Saudi Arabia in 2017.

“I believe there is no positive opportunity for Lebanon due to Iranian influence, international floundering, national divisions, sectarian agitation and the state falling apart,” he said.

Mr Hariri's retreat from political life is widely viewed by Lebanese media as a new chapter in local politics. No other dominant Sunni leader has emerged but several politicians are vying for the position, including Mr Hariri's brother Bahaa.

Lebanon's government is designed to provide political representation of all Lebanese religious groups, with its three largest being Christian Maronites, Sunni Muslims, and Shiite Muslims.

The prime ministers are always Sunni Muslim, while the president is Christian and the parliament speaker is Shiite Muslim.

Local media reported at the weekend that Mr Hariri's supporters drove from all over the country to his house in Beirut, waving his party's blue flag and asking him to participate in the electoral process.

Mr Hariri responded by saying that his home would “remain open to all".

Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

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Name: Abeer Al Bah

Born: 1972

Husband: Emirati lawyer Salem Bin Sahoo, since 1992

Children: Soud, born 1993, lawyer; Obaid, born 1994, deceased; four other boys and one girl, three months old

Education: BA in Elementary Education, worked for five years in a Dubai school

 

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The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

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Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.

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• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

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Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

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Updated: January 25, 2022, 6:26 AM`