Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's historic visit to Beirut on Wednesday will largely focus on finding a solution to disarming Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps and bringing them under the control of Lebanese authorities, officials from each side have told The National.
The long-time Palestinian leader will arrive in the Lebanese capital for a three-day visit to meet Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, and launch a dialogue related to disarming Palestinian factions in the country.
Mr Abbas will also broach the subject of expanded rights for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, according to Serhan Serhan, the deputy secretary of Fatah in Lebanon – although he denied that Mr Abbas would demand those rights in exchange for disarmament.
"We've prepared several files on refugee rights to be discussed ahead of the President's visit," he said.
The task ahead will be tricky. Lebanon's 12 official Palestinian refugee camps are outside the Lebanese state's control and are governed by an array of Palestinian factions – including those opposed to Mr Abbas.
The camps, which are spread out across Lebanon, are under the authority of different groups including Mr Abbas's Fatah, Hamas and other Palestinian factions. The absence of the state inside the camps has made some a haven for outlaws and Islamist extremists. Weapons are rife and outbreaks of violence are common – some groups are deeply opposed to each other.
According to retired General Security head and veteran negotiator General Abbas Ibrahim, “Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] will go all the way,” to find a solution. The Palestinian President will arrive with the aim of reaching a peaceful consensus, but Lebanese security sources did not rule out the use of force as a last resort if the disarmament plan is met with resistance.
“Using force will put the Lebanese Armed Forces in a difficult position," he added. "The government has to launch a dialogue with the Palestinians. Nothing good can happen through force."
A Lebanese security source hinted that Mr Abbas may work towards disarming the camps – and bringing them under Lebanese state control – in exchange for wider Palestinian rights.
“We think these meetings will turn into a plan with the Palestinian factions to allow the army to enter the camps. Yesterday there were clashes inside Shatila and we can't even enter. We should be able to enter,” said the security source, referring to one of the Palestinian camps in Beirut where fighting broke out on Monday.
By agreement, the Lebanese army is not allowed to enter the Palestinian camps. “We try not to interfere by taking the weapons by force. We would prefer to reach an agreement through negotiations and discussions,” the security source added.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in Lebanon, their forebears or they themselves having originally been expelled from their homes in 1948 in the displacement that led to the creation of the state of Israel. They do not have the right to Lebanese citizenship and are therefore unable to access state benefits such as health care and education. They are also restricted in the jobs they can undertake.
Services in the camps, where living conditions are often grim, are instead provided with the support of UNRWA and non-governmental organisations. The arrival of Mr Abbas comes as Lebanon moves forward with the difficult goal of bringing all non-state arms under its control.
Lebanon plans to use Egypt’s military expertise to dismantle and disarm Palestinian militant factions operating within its borders, President Joseph Aoun said during a visit to Cairo on Monday. Mr Aoun was elected in January in the wake of Israel's devastating war on Lebanon last year. He said he wants to bring all weapons under state control as soon as possible, but has stressed this must be done via diplomatic means.
While in recent months the discourse over disarming non-state groups has been chiefly focused on the Lebanese political party and armed group Hezbollah, it has also increasingly included weapons in the Palestinian camps.
The UAE recently lifted a travel ban on its citizens visiting Lebanon, signalling a potential thaw in relations between Lebanon and Gulf states.
President Abbas last visited Lebanon in 2017.
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Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
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General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
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De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
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- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
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Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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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.
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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.
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• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
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Defence review at a glance
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• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
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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.
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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.
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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
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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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
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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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.
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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
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Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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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
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