The process to disarm Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps will begin in mid-June, Lebanese officials told The National on Friday, despite Hamas criticism that the framework for implementing demilitarisation was adopted without their representation.
This meeting was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Lebanese security officials and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's visiting delegation – but not by Hamas representatives.
Nadine Marouk, director of the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee − an interministerial committee tasked with implementing the policies of the Lebanese government towards Palestinian refugees − said any disarmament would happen “with close co-ordination with the Palestinian security forces”.
“Mid-June has been set as a start date with no detailed timeline. Intensive meetings will take place in the coming days and in the coming two to three weeks,” she said.
A Lebanese government official told The National that disarmament would begin in Beirut's Shatila, Burj Al Barajneh and Mar Elias Palestinian refugee camps, before moving on to camps in other parts of the country. The move to disarm the camps is based on an accord with Mr Abbas.
Hamas − a rival of Mr Abbas's Fatah faction that dominates the PA − said all Palestinian groups should have been included in the decision.
“What was included in the joint Lebanese-Palestinian statement represents only the Palestinian Authority. We did not participate in the outcomes of the meeting,” said Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha.
“It would have been more appropriate for it to emerge from the Joint Palestinian Action Committee and be adopted by President Mahmoud Abbas.”
The Joint Palestinian Action Committee represents all Palestinian groups in Lebanon.
Ali Baraka, Hamas's head of foreign relations, urged the Lebanese government to hold a dialogue with all Palestinian factions present in Lebanon.
“We call on the Lebanese government to open a responsible dialogue with the Joint Palestinian Action Committee, which includes all Palestinian factions and forces, to discuss the Palestinian situation from all its aspects,” Mr Baraka said.
“Limiting the discussion to the security framework alone could open the door to the trap of resettlement or displacement, which is what [Israel] seeks.”
By long-standing convention, the Lebanese army stays out of the Palestinian camps where Mr Abbas's Fatah movement, Hamas and other armed groups are present. This leaves the factions to handle security.
Mr Abbas has been in Beirut since Wednesday for talks on disarming the refugee camps, as well as the legal expansion of Palestinian rights, as Lebanon seeks to impose its authority on all its territory.
A statement from the joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee released by Mr Salam's office said it agreed to “launch the process of handing over weapons according to a specific timetable, accompanied by practical steps to bolster the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees”.
The issue of disarming Lebanon's 12 Palestinian refugee camps, which are not under Lebanese state control, has long been one of contention. Palestinian groups such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, dedicated to armed resistance against Israel and allied with Hezbollah, have frequently used Lebanon as a base to launch rockets at Israel.
Furthermore, many Palestinians who recall Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war see weapons as necessary for self-defence in the refugee camps. But others maintain that weapons have become tools for drug violence and internal political rivalries.
Lebanon hosts about 222,000 Palestinian refugees, according to the UN agency UNRWA, many of whom live in the 12 overcrowded camps.
Most are direct refugees or descendants of Palestinians who were expelled from their land during a violent mass removal that led to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
They face a variety of legal restrictions in Lebanon, including on employment.
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Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Date started: December 2015
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Sector: Technology and home services
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
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2. For those who have worked more than five years
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Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
