After more than two years without a head of state, 13 parliamentary sessions and in recent weeks an intense diplomatic push, Lebanon's legislature elected army chief Gen Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday.
The 60-year-old commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces emerged as the consensus candidate in a polarised parliament after seven years at the helm of the military.
Lebanon's army is seen as a rare source of national unity in a deeply divided country and one of the few institutions holding it together amid political and economic collapse. It is widely respected locally and abroad.
The military has been entrusted with the mammoth task of ensuring stability in southern Lebanon following a November ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that ended 13 months of war. The truce relies on the Lebanese army's posting south of the Litani River near the Israeli border and Hezbollah's withdrawal from the area.
“Mr Aoun is essential for stability in the country. He held the army together during the war despite the economic crisis, and he has proven that he is capable,” said Marc Daou, an independent MP who voted for Gen Aoun.
Gen Aoun joined the army in 1983 and steadily climbed the ranks until his promotion to Brig Gen in 2013. After his appointment as army chief in 2017, he earned widespread recognition for leading a successful campaign against ISIS and Al Nusra Front to expel their fighters from eastern Lebanon.
He was also praised by some for his handling of a 2019 protests in Lebanon during which hundreds of thousands took to the streets demanding an end to corruption. “If it weren’t for Mr Aoun’s decision not to repress the protests, the Lebanese people would not have been able to revolt,” said Mr Daou, who took part in the movement.
Respected
Gen Aoun is well respected in military and diplomatic circles. He has generally maintained good relations across Lebanon's political spectrum, including with Hezbollah, although some within the group have criticised him for his ties to the US. The US is the primary financial supporter of the Lebanese army, and Gen Aoun has received extensive military training there.
Gen Aoun also enjoys the backing of other countries, including the so-called Quintet Committee, a group including France, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the US, which came together to help resolve the Lebanese presidential deadlock.
“We support a consensus candidate, and we have no objection with Mr Aoun, as his profile fits the broad outlines of the Doha communique, and he is able to lift the country out of its crises,” a western diplomatic source told The National.
Gen Aoun holds a degree in political science, with a specialisation in international affairs, as well as a degree in military sciences. He is fluent in Arabic, French and English. He is Christian, is married and has two children.
Under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, the prime minister's position for a Sunni Muslim, and the parliamentary speaker's role for a Shiite Muslim.
Gen Aoun is not related to former Lebanese president Michel Aoun. He is the fourth army chief to be president.
Neighbourhood Watch
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
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Kite Beach
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Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
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BABYLON
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
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- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
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1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Australia squads
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While you're here
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
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The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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Tomorrow 2021
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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The five pillars of Islam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
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Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
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Specs%20
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How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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