Israel has intelligence that Lebanon’s Hezbollah is rearming, US special envoy Tom Barrack told The National on Saturday, as the Israeli military rains down near-daily strikes in Lebanon despite a ceasefire reached last year.
Israel also maintains a presence at five points it deems strategic in the south of the country, in violation of the agreement. Its operations in southern and eastern Lebanon have recently intensified. This week, the Israeli army raided a southern Lebanese town and killed a man who was sleeping in the municipal building.
“Israel's view is that Hezbollah is rearming. And that's why it's impossible when Lebanon is saying we want Israel to withdraw from the five points," said Mr Barrack, speaking to The National during the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. "That's what the Lebanese have been asking for, to have a ceasefire and have Israel withdraw.
“Israel's point of view is … that Hezbollah is actually rebuilding all the way along the Bekaa [Valley],” he added. “There's a disagreement between the Lebanese, the LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces] and Israel [on this point]. This is the problem."
Mr Barrack emphasised that the US is not providing its own intelligence but serving as an intermediary. “Who's right? We're not gleaning our own intelligence; we're just an interpreter,” he said. “The US has been trying to be an intermediary for Lebanon, because it will not talk [to Israel].”
Beirut is under intense pressure from Washington to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah and reassert state sovereignty using its army. Mr Barrack said earlier this month that Lebanon's slow progress could lead Israel to “act unilaterally” and launch yet another war on the country.
Hezbollah has repeatedly said it will not disarm while Israeli troops remain in Lebanon, warning that any disarmament would weaken the country’s defences. The group was severely weakened during its latest war with Israel. It has also voiced support for a greater role to be played by Lebanon's army in defending its borders.
The Lebanese government has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing all weapons under state control, while acknowledging the difficulties and sensitivities involved.
President Joseph Aoun has said that Beirut is ready for indirect negotiations with Israel. Mr Barrack, however, stressed that direct talks between the two countries were necessary.
“It's simple. Lebanon can do what it wants to do. The path is very clear that it needs to be to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for a conversation along with Syria," Mr Barrack told a panel discussion at the conference. "Syria is showing the way. Syria will get there first."
He added that Israel and Syria are “close” to reaching an agreement, without specifying the details. Israel's prime minister's office had previously said that negotiations were being held with Syria and the conclusions were contingent upon ensuring Israel's interests, which include the demilitarisation of southwestern Syria and safeguarding the well-being and security of the Druze in Syria.
Under US pressure, Syria is accelerating talks with Israel for a security pact that Damascus hopes will reverse Israel's recent seizures of its land but that would fall far short of a full peace treaty.
Mr Barrack also noted that Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara will travel to Washington this month to sign a letter reaffirming Syria’s participation in the global coalition against ISIS, joining 88 other countries in the alliance. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al Shibani later confirmed the visit.
It would be Mr Al Shara's first trip to Washington. He visited New York in September to attend the UN General Assembly and met US President Donald Trump in Riyadh in May.
Earlier at the Manama Dialogue on Saturday, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi described Israel, rather than Iran, as the principal source of regional instability, and encouraged fellow Gulf countries to engage with Tehran rather than isolate it.
In a separate speech, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that stability in Gaza will remain elusive as long as Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of the territory, stressing the need for a clear timeline for withdrawal.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowdash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESean%20Trevaskis%20and%20Enver%20Sorkun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERestaurant%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20Judah%20VC%2C%20TPN%20Investments%20and%20angel%20investors%2C%20including%20former%20Talabat%20chief%20executive%20Abdulhamid%20Alomar%2C%20and%20entrepreneur%20Zeid%20Husban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
