US president-elect Donald Trump nominated Lebanese American businessman Massad Boulos as his senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs on Sunday.
Referring to Mr Boulos as a “dealmaker”, Mr Trump said he has been a long-time proponent of Republican and conservative values, “an asset to my campaign, and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab-American community”.
It was the second time in recent days that Mr Trump chose the father-in-law of one of his children to serve in his administration.
On Saturday, Mr Trump said that he had picked his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father, real estate mogul Charles Kushner, to serve as US ambassador to France.
Mr Boulos, whose son Michael is married to Tiffany Trump, has been a prominent supporter of the Trump campaign, rallying Lebanese and Arab-American voters as US-backed Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon heightened regional tensions.
With strong connections to the US and Lebanon, Mr Boulos brings a complex legacy to the role. His family has long-standing ties to Lebanese politics, with his father and grandfather playing notable roles.
His father-in-law was a significant financial backer of the Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party aligned with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Karim Bitar, professor of international relations at St Joseph University of Beirut, told The National that Mr Boulos is in close contact with several political actors in Lebanon and his nomination will be "well received".
"He knows the country extremely well and he is perceived as a moderate who could bring Arab public opinion closer to the inner circles of Washington, DC," Prof Bitar said.
Prof Bitar added that Mr Boulos's nomination indicates that Mr Trump "pretty much like many Middle East leaders is a family man and likes to work or trusts mostly his family".
Mr Boulos has engaged with crucial players across Lebanon's fragmented political landscape, Reuters reported.
Notably, he has maintained relations with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite party holding significant influence through parliamentary seats and government ministers.
At the same time, he has cultivated ties with the Lebanese Forces, an anti-Hezbollah Christian faction, and has engaged with independent politicians, the sources said.
The five pillars of Islam
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
Results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Al Baher, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
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3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,950m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
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4.30pm: Jebel Ali Sprint (TB) Dh500,000 1,000m; Winner: AlKaraama, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The%20specs
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Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
