After decades of corruption that plunged Lebanon into its worst economic and financial crisis since the end of the civil war in the early 90s, many Lebanese appear to have had enough.
It is clear by now that Lebanon's political system and economic model has failed
The national mood has turned against the ruling class.
A WhatsApp tax introduced by the government in late 2019 ignited the largest protests to sweep Lebanon since the assassination of prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
His killing, then widely blamed on Syria, sparked demonstrations that led to the withdrawal of Syria's military forces from Lebanon, under pressure from the US and its allies.
The movement that started more than 15 years later, on October 17, 2019, and quickly toppled the government of Saad Hariri - the son of the late prime minster - raised hope for radical reform.
But unlike the 2005 campaign, which marked the end of three decades of Syrian military presence in Lebanon, the movement lost momentum following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Momentum was lost despite the government's failure to enact long-awaited reforms intended to stave off economic collapse.
The crisis was made worse by an explosion that destroyed large parts of Beirut in August. It caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and killed more than 200 people.
Yet, five months after the blast which paved the way for Mr Hariri’s return as prime minister-designate following his predecessor’s resignation, Lebanon remains without a fully functioning government.
The political class was told it must undertake reform to unlock international financial support.
Its critics said the months-long political deadlock that has so far blocked the formation of a new Cabinet is a clear indication of the October 17 movement's failure to effect change.
A country that has long been home to the powerful Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah has been plunged into the midst of Iran's stand-off with the US and its regional allies.
Campaigners said the reform movement is still alive, although discussions between some of its leading elements have yet to build a united platform. That has to happen in the run-up to the 2022 parliamentary elections.
Tarek Ammar, a member of Beirut Madinati, the political campaign that won a number of seats in the 2016 municipal elections, said the movement achieved a great deal in terms of blocking corrupt deals in a country that still suffers from daily power cuts and low-quality basic services about 30 years after the war ended.
His movement aimed to disrupt that status quo.
Mr Ammar said protests have continued despite the crackdown that the political class ordered to intimidate protestors, resulting in injuries to hundreds of people.
According to Human Rights Watch, the use of "excessive and sometimes lethal force" was on full display on August 8.
Then, security forces fired live ammunition, metal pellets and rubber bullets against mostly peaceful people who took to the streets to protest negligence and corruption which they said led days earlier to the explosion of a stockpile of chemicals that was left at Beirut port for six years
Five months later, it is still unclear who owned the chemicals and why they were stockpiled for so long at one of the region's busiest ports despite the knowledge of security agencies.
The stalled investigation into the explosion, which has worsened political bickering and complicated the Cabinet formation process, is typical of the lack of accountability in Lebanon, activists said.
Bassel Saleh, a Lebanese University professor and member of Lihaqi campaign, said this lack of accountability and endemic corruption will continue to spark spontaneous protests.
Tripoli, Lebanon’s second biggest city, was frequently the scene of such demonstrations in recent days in defiance of a full lockdown to contain rising coronavirus infections.
The Tripoli protests prompted Mr Hariri to warn demonstrators that certain parties may be exploiting their economic woes for political purposes. His comment evoked memories of accusations that parties across the political spectrum directed at protestors in the early stages of the October 17 movement.
Such accusations, activists said, were only aimed at buying the ruling class more time and there were no real solutions in sight.
“It is clear by now that Lebanon’s political system and economic model has failed,” said Prof Saleh, who fears a crackdown on protests as the situation deteriorates and the country’s political leaders lose their grip.
“Our priority now is to create a social safety net across Lebanon to help people in need,” he said, arguing that the October 17 movement has ushered in an era of political awareness but failed to translate that into a programme for reform of Lebanon's failed confessional power-sharing system.
The movement, an umbrella for tens of right- and left-wing groups demanding change, is divided on how to best tackle the economic crisis and the issue of Hezbollah's weapons, among other controversial topics, a veteran activist told The National.
But Mr Ammar argued the differences were mainly restricted to finding common ground regarding the best approach to ensure the rise of a democratic and sovereign state.
That included state monopolisation of the possession of weapons and guarantees for the rights of its citizens.
Many activists, however, feared that the lack of a unified agenda and action plan would hinder such ambitions for the foreseeable future.
“The withdrawal of Syrian forces prompted many to hope reforms would follow, but that wasn’t the case. So, what guarantees that corruption won’t persist if and when the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons is solved?” another activist asked.
Others, however, said there was no choice but to seek change despite the challenges.
“Our only hope is to seek a state where justice and the rule of law prevails,” said Layal Sakr, a lawyer and long-time activist.
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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RESULTS
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
THE%20SPECS
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Specs%20
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List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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Fight Night
FIGHT NIGHT
Four title fights:
Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title
Six undercard bouts:
Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio
MO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Teresa%20Ruiz%2C%20Omar%20Elba%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mobile phone packages comparison
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
