A former British national security adviser has said Tony Blair's peace plan for Gaza must secure the support of Arab nations to have any chance of success.
Peter Ricketts said the post-conflict blueprint was one that could forestall the most extreme Israeli efforts to expel the population of the Strip following a war that has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza.
“We will only be able to get Arab countries engaged in the massive cost and the risks of reconstructing Gaza, providing security in Gaza, if there is a prospect of a Palestinian state at the end of the process,” the former diplomat told BBC radio.
“I think they're good proposals. I don't think they're all that different to the ideas that the Arab countries and the Europeans have been working up.”
A reported leak of the plans said the centrepiece of Mr Blair's ideas was the establishment of a Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA) that would run the Strip for a time limited period.
The concept was presented to US President Donald Trump by Mr Blair during a White House meeting in July. British officials have also promoted the principles of the plan and are ready to circulate the idea as a draft agreement for Gaza to next week's UN General Assembly.
Lord Ricketts said the Arab Peace Initiative was a foundational document for the architects of the Blair deal. “There was a so-called Arab peace plan on these lines,” he said. “Critically, it is Gaza for Gazans. So it avoids any suggestion of forced expulsion of Palestinians, which is very much part of the plans of certain Israelis, including the far-right ministers [Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich.”
Monday's summit on promoting a two-state solution has been condemned by the US but co-sponsors Saudi Arabia and France want it seen as an agreement for Gaza. A collective agreement on how to rebuild Gaza and pave the way for a Palestinian state would be seen as a triumph for the planners.
Mr Blair, who was Britain’s Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, was present at a White House meeting with Mr Trump when the reaction to the president's plans for postwar Gaza were discussed.
The hope is that the US leader's comments on redeveloping Gaza with Riviera-style resorts can be refocused on the needs of its people. “Conversations with the Americans are ongoing with the involvement of Tony Blair and ultimately if he is a bridge between the American ‘Riviera’ plan and a broader solution which is acceptable to all parties, then so be it,” a Whitehall source familiar with the talks said.
Mr Blair spent some time as Middle East envoy attempting to create the economic conditions for a two-state solution.
Steve Witkoff, US Middle East envoy, has stated that Washington is putting together a “very comprehensive” plan on “the next day” after the war ends.
Shuttle diplomacy
Expectations for what's next are an effort to achieve something “more than just recognition of Palestine” at the UN on September 22. One official said the day “can’t be a rehash of what countries did in July”.
“Our distinct hope is that it will be much more than that because if it is just recognition, then we've not achieved very much in the interim,” the source added.
Earlier in September, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “working in lockstep with our Gulf partners to establish a framework for peace”.
“Ending the war in Gaza means not just reaching a ceasefire but turning it into a durable peace,” the source added.
Alongside getting a ceasefire, more aid and release of hostages, Britain is “working intensely on the conditions for a lasting peace and the foundations of a two-state solution”.
International diplomats have engaged for months with regional powers in the format of an “Arab Quint” (Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) to seek a common understanding of postwar governance, recovery and eventual reconstruction.
All sides in the Quint process have said Hamas could play no future part in a Palestinian state.
“The question is how do we build on that consensus?” the source added.
One facet of the plan that has given regional partners some comfort is a series of offices within the GITA, designed to preserve the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, including a Property Rights Preservation Unit.
This is designed to counteract hardliners in Israel who seek the “voluntary” departure of Gazans on a non-return basis.
Polling by Zogby Research Services for Mr Blair's think tank in May found that less than four per cent of Palestinians in Gaza said they wanted Hamas to govern the Strip.
The poll found significant opposition to Hamas among Palestinians in Gaza, with 92 per cent holding Hamas responsible for the current situation, close to Israel's 93 per cent.
Gazans’ preferred choice of government is the Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas, at 35 per cent. The second most popular option is a transitional international coalition working with a local Gaza administration at 27 per cent.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More on Quran memorisation:
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
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
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
