Israel's attacks on Lebanon have become counterproductive and risk undermining a Beirut government that should be seen as a viable partner, former senior US official Amos Hochstein has said.
A former adviser on energy to Joe Biden, Mr Hochstein said Lebanon is “in a really tough spot” and needs the support of the international community.
“The Trump administration came in with both its envoys to Lebanon, ambassador Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus, trying to move things along, which I think is right,” Mr Hochstein told On the Record with Hadley Gamble.
When Lebanon is prosperous, Hezbollah is weak
Amos Hochstein
“But there are two parties here - Israel and Lebanon. Israel needs to understand that the muscular approach, and the more pressure … sometimes gets to a point of diminishing returns and [becomes] counterproductive.”
Mr Hochstein, who brokered a resolution to the maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon in 2022 and mediated between the two sides during Israel's invasion, said the current situation is the first time he has been truly worried about where the two countries stand.
“I would encourage both sides to figure out … how do we not slide back into conflict and threatening rhetoric, which is how we started this whole thing, and rather think about how do we move to the land boundary and define a border,” said Mr Hochstein, who was in Abu Dhabi for the Adipec energy conference.
“We did it with the maritime border, we can do it with a land boundary. Then, we can have a non-aggression path. Because then we say, OK, we have a border we don't need to be enemies any more. And from there, you can move it step-by-step into a much better place for both countries. I hope we get there.”
On the disarmament of Hezbollah, Mr Hochstein said the Trump administration should consider a more realistic, dual-track approach.
“Let’s be realistic of what we can achieve,” Mr Hochstein said.
“The best way to combat them is not to focus singularly on the disarming of Hezbollah, but to do it in a dual track: build out the economy to bring in investment and support the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
He said the international community should come in “with better weapons, better training, better vehicles, better salaries, and encourage a rebuilding of society”.
“When Lebanon is prosperous, Hezbollah is weak,” he said.
Pressed on US claims that Hezbollah is regaining strength despite Israel’s decisive attacks on its leadership and foot soldiers, Mr Hochstein said that politically, at least, the group is still on the back foot.
“They are politically at the weakest moment that they've been. Maybe not as weak as they were six months ago, but they’re weak,” he said.
“The country doesn't want them. The way I would define it is they're too weak to fight Israel, but they're strong enough to fight Lebanon.
“So, I agree with the position of a gradual disarming of Hezbollah … But don't put the kind of pressure on the system that breaks it and leads us to a civil war.”
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The bio:
Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.
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The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
