Nawaf Salam was named as Lebanon’s next Prime Minister after receiving the support of 84 MPs when they held binding consultations with newly elected President Joseph Aoun on Monday.
Antoine Choucair, the director General of the Presidency, announced the result, saying Mr Salam was abroad and would arrive in Beirut tomorrow.
The designation of Mr Salam, a president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, appeared to be a blow to Hezbollah, which was seen to have supported caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati.
According to Lebanon's constitution, the president chooses the prime minister and is bound to select the candidate with the most support during consultations with the 128 MPs. This means the support of 65 MPs is enough to be designated as prime minister, a threshold Mr Salam passed on Monday afternoon.
His designation, along with Mr Aoun's election, would mark a new era in Lebanese politics. Many are hopeful his appointment will start a new chapter in Lebanon's history, recently marred by war, economic collapse, and deep distrust and widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling classes. Neither Mr Aoun or Mr Salam are seen as part of that elite echelon.
As the talks began on Monday at the presidential palace in Baabda, Mr Salam was regarded as the front-runner along with Mr Mikati. But in the end it was not even close, with Mr Salam receiving the support of 84 MPs to Mr Mikati's nine. Some 35 abstained, including Hezbollah and its Shiite ally the Amal Movement – led by Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri.
On Monday afternoon, the situation changed quickly as several major parties said they would support Mr Salam.
They included the Free Patriotic Movement and the Druze Progressive Socialist Party, whose stance had been unclear going into the consultations.
Hezbollah and Amal had appeared to signal they would back Mr Mikati. But as the victory of Mr Salam was becoming clearer, both changed tack and did not nominate anyone.
'The era of weapons is over'
Hezbollah parliamentary leader Mohammad Raad called for a government that takes into account Lebanon's multi-confessional state; essentially saying that the Shiite community must be represented.
He accused Hezbollah's opponents of working for fragmentation and exclusion. He said the group had "extended its hand" by electing Mr Aoun as president last week only to find the "hand cut".
Georges Adwan, the parliamentary leader of the legislature's largest party, the Lebanese Forces, called on Hezbollah to focus on “political work”.
“The era of weapons is over,” he said, after the LF endorsed Mr Salam.
The new prime minister will have the responsibility of steering Lebanon through several challenges, including rebuilding efforts and ensuring a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel holds.
Melhem Khalaf, an independent MP and constitutional expert who previously took to sleeping in parliament to protest against his colleagues' failure to elect a president, said his vote for Mr Salam was one “for change”.
“Since President Joseph Aoun comes from outside the class that ruled the country, it is necessary for people from this sphere to join him,” he added.
Mr Salam is a diplomat, legal scholar and former ambassador, who served as Lebanon’s permanent representative at the UN from 2007 to 2017.
Known for his technocratic expertise and reformist stance, Mr Salam has gained support from opposition factions and reformists who view him as a figure capable of introducing institutional change.
Mr Mikati phoned Mr Salam, who is in The Hague, as soon as the designation was made to congratulate him.
"It was my destiny to lead this country in its most difficult times, when many hesitated to take responsibility," said Mr Mikati, who was essentially head of state in the absence of a president as Israel waged a devastating war on Lebanon last year.
After Mr Aoun was elected last week, Mr Mikati said he was ready to serve as prime minister again if asked.
Opponents of Mr Mikati say he is part of the old regime, having been prime minister for three terms.
One of the wealthiest businessmen in Lebanon, Mr Mikati has often been characterised, during political deadlocks, as a consensus candidate acceptable to Lebanon's entrenched political blocs. While his supporters praise his experience and pragmatism, critics argue his leadership has failed to deliver reforms during Lebanon’s economic collapse.
An important development emerged early on Monday when MP Fouad Makhzoumi announced he was withdrawing from the race and supporting Mr Salam.
Mr Makhzoumi is an influential member of the coalition opposed to Hezbollah. At the weekend he received the support of parliament's largest party, the LF, which on Monday then went with Mr Salam after Mr Makhzoumi's withdrawal. Mr Makhzoumi said he did not want to split the opposition's vote.
Under the country's unique confessional system, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim. Nominating a candidate does not guarantee a new government will be formed.
The process can take months given deep political divisions and trading within a parliament where no party or bloc holds a majority. Mr Aoun's election came at a time of significant international pressure, particularly from the US and Saudi Arabia, and ended a two-and-a-half-year power vacuum.
Towering concerns
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Our commentary on Brexit
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Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
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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 three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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8.50pm: Calandogan
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
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Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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UK-EU trade at a glance
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Tomorrow 2021
Explained
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
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What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Our family matters legal consultant
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Tomorrow 2021
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Spec%20sheet
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
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 two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
