Lebanon’s recently elected 128 MPs will hold binding consultations on Thursday with President Michel Aoun over who should be the country’s prime minister following nationwide elections last month.
Mr Aoun will designate the candidate with the most support among the MPs as prime minister, who will then be given the task of forming a government. This is often a long, drawn-out affair as leading political factions argue over who should take critical roles.
A devastating economic crisis that began in 2019 has plunged many Lebanese people into poverty and led to a devaluation of the local currency by more than 90 per cent. There are also extensive shortages in medical items, electricity and other vital supplies.
The new government will face a difficult task trying to rectify those problems, with parliament divided. Among the new government’s priorities will be enacting a crucial economic recovery plan that is a requirement of a $3 billion bailout by the International Monetary Fund.
Two names have emerged as the main contenders: incumbent prime minister Najib Mikati, a billionaire who has already served in the role three times; and Nawaf Salam, a judge and Lebanon’s former envoy to the UN.
On Wednesday night, on the eve of the consultations, Mr Mikati appeared to have the upper hand and may win the support of more than 50 MPs. He is expected to receive backing from the Iran-backed militant group and political party Hezbollah, its Shiite ally Amal, and some influential Sunni MPs.
In Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian and the parliament speaker a Shiite Muslim.
“Najib Mikati is a representative of the traditional Lebanese establishment," said Karim Bitar, a professor of international relations at Saint Joseph University in Beirut.
"He’s one of those billionaire politicians. He’s shrewd, has a reputation for being more of a hard worker than [three-time prime minister] Saad Hariri, and he chooses his advisers and collaborators usually more wisely than others.
“However, he is still perceived by large swathes of the Lebanese public opinion as a representative of politics as usual.”
Mr Salam, on the other hand, has attracted the support of some first-time MPs who are closely linked to the October 2019 protests against Lebanon’s ruling classes that led to Mr Hariri’s government's collapse.
Despite hailing from a prominent family, Mr Salam is still mostly regarded as an outsider.
“Even though he comes from a conservative Sunni family, in his youth he was a leftist," Mr Bitar said.
"He has moved towards the centre, but he maintains his reformist ideals. He is still committed to trying to bring change to the Lebanese political system."
But while he will also be supported by Walid Joumblatt’s Progressive Socialist Party and the Kataeb Party, it appeared unlikely, at this stage, he will garner enough support to beat Mr Mikati.
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On Wednesday afternoon, the Christian-led Lebanese Forces, which is now the largest party in parliament, announced it would not vote for anyone.
“We will not endorse Nawaf Salam to form a new government, nor Najib Mikati. The Lebanese Forces’ parliamentary group will not endorse anyone tomorrow,” said its leader, Samir Geagea.
“Najib Mikati has made great efforts to organise the parliamentary elections and to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund during this difficult period. Despite this, he does not have the qualities that we have set to become the next prime minister.”
Mr Geagea said his party “did not see enough seriousness in Nawaf Salam to take on this responsibility, given that he rarely visits Lebanon”.
Mr Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement, the second-largest Christian party in parliament, has not announced its position yet. But its leader — and Mr Aoun’s son-in-law — Gebran Bassil recently called Mr Mikati “inept” and said he would not be backing him.
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
- Iceland (33%)
- Netherlands (20%)
- Sweden (19%)
- Austria (14%)
- Germany (14%)
- Denmark (13%)
- Switzerland (13%)
- United Kingdom (12%)
- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
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Director:Guillermo del Toro
Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
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Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
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- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
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UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
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The team
Videographer: Jear Velasquez
Photography: Romeo Perez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG
Video assistant: Zanong Maget
Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The view from The National
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
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