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Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, has described the rising tension in the Middle East as a “dangerous phase, with the escalation getting out of control”.
His comments come after a tumultuous week for the region, in which Iran launched a major rocket attack on Israel and the latter’s threat of retaliation could lead to an already devastating war escalating.
Israel’s incursion into Lebanon, meanwhile, shows no signs of slowing down either, with relentless bombing turning Beirut’s Dahieh into a ghost town and another strike closing the main road into Syria on Friday.
“Amid the wars and crises threatening Arab and regional security, our only path forward is to revive the concept of the nation state and uphold its independence and sovereignty,” Mr Gargash wrote on X on Friday. “The dominance of militias, driven by sectarian and regional agendas, has come at a great cost to the Arab world and burdened the region.
“The future belongs to security, peace and prosperity through an independent Arab vision that is reconciled with its environment."
The Emirati diplomat also stressed the need for de-escalation, for stopping the war in Gaza and Lebanon, and said the two-state solution was the most effective way of securing a lasting peace.
“The region is going through a dangerous phase, with the escalation intensifying and getting out of control, threatening to spread violence, chaos and cause more loss of life,” he wrote on X on Thursday.
“The solution begins with stopping the war in Gaza and Lebanon, de-escalating tensions and engaging in dialogue free from extremist rhetoric. The two-state solution remains the cornerstone for ending the cycle of recurring crises and building a better future.”
His comments come after Jewish political scientist and activist Norman Finkelstein said Israel has left Gaza uninhabitable with its invasion and air assaults.
"Gaza is no more," Mr Finkelstein told The National. Home to more than two million people, the enclave has been made uninhabitable through the "systematic destruction of its infrastructure", he said.
The UN estimates 40 million tonnes of rubble now lie in Gaza and rebuilding will take until 2040 at the earliest. The debris is mixed with toxic substances and bodily remains, which will require specialised equipment to remove safely, experts have told The National.
Israeli strikes on Beirut - in pictures
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
The%20specs
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FIGHT CARD
Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)
Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)
Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)
Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)
Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)
Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)
Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)
Profile Idealz
Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Size: (employees): 22
Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
