Live updates: Follow the latest on the Syrian rebel advance
As the regime of Syria's President Bashar Al Assad regime collapsed and opposition forces entered Damascus on Sunday, Prime Minister Mohammad Al Jalali emerged as a pivotal figure.
Mr Al Assad was reported to have fled Damascus for an unknown destination after rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham entered the capital following an offensive that started in the northern city of Aleppo on November 27.
In a video posted on his Facebook account, Mr Al Jalali said he remained in his home and that he was ready to support the continuity of governance and to co-operate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.
He said he had been in contact with rebel commander Ahmad Al Shara, formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani to discuss managing the transitional period, marking a significant development in efforts to shape Syria's political future.
Mr Al Jawlani also signalled efforts to secure an orderly transition, releasing a statement in which he said state institutions would be supervised by Mr Al Jalali until they were handed over.
The rebels later posted a video on social media that showed Mr Al Jalali leaving his house escorted by opposition fighters, with one heard saying that he was being taken to the Four Seasons Hotel for a meeting to hand over the government institutions.
Born in Damascus in 1969, Mr Al Jalali is an academic and a political technocrat. Holding advanced degrees in civil engineering and engineering economics, his career includes roles as Minister of Communications and Technology between 2014 and 2016, and as Deputy Minister before that.
In 1992 he graduated with a BA in civil engineering and completed a postgraduate diploma in civil engineering from Damascus University two years later. He also completed a master of science in civil engineering in 1997, and a PhD in engineering economics from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 2000.
He also leads academic institutions, such as the Syrian Private University, positioning him as both a technologist and an intellectual within the Assad regime.
Despite his credentials, his tenure has not been not without controversy. Along with Syria’s former foreign minister Faisal Mekdad, he has been the subject of EU sanctions for his role in suppressing the public protests in 2011 that escalated into a civil war that has claimed more than 350,000 lives according to UN estimates.
Appointed by Mr Al Assad in September, Mr Al Jalali led the government at a critical juncture, with Syria at a crossroads between deeper fragmentation and potential stabilisation.
His technical expertise and administrative experience may provide tools for addressing Syria's immediate needs, such as rebuilding infrastructure and restoring basic services. However, his ties to past repression raise doubts about his ability to enact genuine reform or foster reconciliation with opposition forces.
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Griselda
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Company%20Profile
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
