Lebanon is reaching a critical point in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah, with the cabinet due to formally discuss the issue on August 5 and President Joseph Aoun expected to address it in a speech on Friday.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for a cabinet session next Tuesday to conclude discussions over “the extension of state sovereignty over all its territories” and weapons exclusivity − which in essence means disarming Hezbollah and other non-state groups.
“The session was brought forward due to external pressure on Lebanon regarding Hezbollah disarmament,” Lebanese sources familiar with the matter told The National. “Important decisions are expected to be made soon.”
The US has tied any postwar reconstruction aid and a potential halt to Israeli military operations to the full disarmament of Hezbollah across Lebanon. The country is still reeling from the aftermath of Hezbollah's year-long war with Israel and the economic collapse that began in 2019.
Whether the ministers will vote to issue a formal cabinet decision committing to disarm the Iran-backed group remains unclear. Although the cabinet does not consist of any political parties, it includes members who back Hezbollah or its allies.
“The Council of Ministers will focus on how to implement arms exclusivity,” said a source close to Mr Salam, but added that the road map to achieve that remains undecided.
They said it remained unclear “if there will be a vote or if there will be a decision by agreement. We will wait and see”.
The US continues to exert significant pressure on Lebanon to push forward and disarm Hezbollah. Mr Aoun and his government have repeatedly said this is their objective. But they warn that unless achieved in the right way, it risks fuelling tensions in a country already on edge.
Disarming Hezbollah became a possible outcome after its war with Israel left it weakened by significant losses.
The group's new reality has made it open to discussions on a national defence strategy but it has rejected talk of disarming while Israel continues to bomb Lebanon daily and occupies five points on Lebanese soil.
Hezbollah secretary general Naim Qassem spoke on Wednesday night to mark the first anniversary of the assassination of the group's top military commander, Fouad Shukr. A series of assassinations followed, targeting senior leaders of the group including long-serving secretary general Hassan Nasrallah.
Mr Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah's weapons arsenal was a “domestic issue," and insisted that Israel's continued occupation of Lebanese territory was a prelude to further expansion.
He added that the Lebanese state should focus on ending Israeli attacks on Lebanon and commencing with reconstruction projects before there is any talk of disarmament.
As he has repeatedly said previously, Mr Qassem insisted Hezbollah would never hand over their weapons to Israel.
US special envoy Tom Barrack has made regular visits to Lebanon, including last week, to push the disarmament plan.
He has warned that Lebanon risks being left behind in a rapidly changing region if it does not proceed with the reforms and disarm Hezbollah. Key international donors have also made clear that any desperately needed economic assistance hinges on progress on both fronts.
In March, the World Bank said reconstruction and recovery needs in Lebanon were estimated at US$11 billion after Israel's war with Hezbollah. Some US$4.6 billion of the damage costs were to the housing sector alone – with around 100,000 housing units partially or fully damaged, the World Bank said.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key facilities
- 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
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
AIR
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Read more about the coronavirus
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
