Raghida Dergham is the founder and executive chairwoman of the Beirut Institute, and a columnist for The National
May 15, 2022
Irrespective of the results of Sunday’s parliamentary election in Lebanon, Hezbollah seems set to continue its decades-long project of expanding the powers of its “mini-state”, as it aims ultimately to seize control of all the levers of the Republic.
The Iranian-backed group, which doubles up as a militia and a political party, has always claimed to be driven by its so-called “resistance” to western influence, and that of Israel, in the Middle East. It has lately used this narrative of resistance, and the threat of violence, to warn Israel against drilling for oil and gas in the disputed maritime border area between the two countries.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah pledged to block any extraction in the area unless its terms in the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are met. Pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar even described it as the group’s “central priority” after the election. “The resistance stands ready to protect any decision by Lebanon to bring in international companies to carry out exploration,” Nasrallah said.
The problem with Hezbollah’s messaging, however, is that its priorities are not Lebanese in substance, but Iranian. And Nasrallah’s recent threats against those who want to disarm his group, a longstanding point of contention in Lebanese politics, is only a prelude to what he intends to do with these weapons – which is to seize the country’s national resources. Also to be taken seriously is Nasrallah’s constant caricaturising of the democratic process and the citizens’ right to choose their country’s path.
Elections alone won’t be enough to set Lebanon on the right track
All the noise around the group’s weapons, as well as its own warnings against Israel, have come at a time when the international community is continuing to seek the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.
Hezbollah represents a priceless card for Iran’s all-powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The group’s influence in Lebanon and the security threat it poses towards Israel, which also shares a land border with Lebanon, is useful for the Iranian regime – as is its ability to co-ordinate with Tehran-backed militias in other parts of the Arab world.
The Biden administration understands that the IRGC will not abandon its regional ambitions, and that Hezbollah is the region’s leading militia armed with an arsenal of rocketry. If Washington fulfils Tehran’s conditions for the sake of reviving their nuclear deal, the West will effectively be endorsing Hezbollah’s domination of Lebanese politics, which will eventually turn the country into an annex of the Iranian-backed resistance – irrespective of the West’s statements about elections and the democratic process.
Sunday’s election has provided the Lebanese people the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the ruling establishment as well as Hezbollah’s dominance. But no one, not least the people, should be under any illusion that change will begin and end at the ballot box. On the contrary, it is a long and difficult process that requires patience, persistence and perseverance.
The post-election period will require serious strategising on the part of Lebanon’s civil society on how to counter the schemes meant to efface the country’s sovereignty and continue the deliberate impoverishment of its people with the aim of subjugating them. Voting is a starting point towards seeking accountability, but it is the beginning, not the end of a winding road. Part of the reason for this is, of course, that the political establishment isn't going to readily concede its privileges.
Elections alone won’t be enough to set Lebanon on the right track again after years of economic mismanagement and the entrenchment of its political class. The international community needs to help, too, by applying more pressure than it usually does on Beirut to bring in reforms.
An electoral worker sits next to ballot boxes, at the Justice Palace, in Jdeideh. Reuters
A soldier stands guard as ballots are counted at the Justice Palace. Reuters
Jad Ghosn, an opposition candidate, gestures as people wait for the announcement of official election results, in Jdeideh. Reuters
Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announces the final results for some districts. EPA
Opposition candidate Yassin Yassin gestures as he is greeted by supporters in Jeb Jennin, West Bekaa. Reuters
Supporters of the Lebanese Forces take to the streets during parliamentary elections in the Ashrafieh district of Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanon headed to the polls with its economy in the grip of hyperinflation. Bloomberg
Lebanese youths supporting Hezbollah and Amal movement wave their party flags after parliamentary elections in a suburb of Beirut. EPA
Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite groups Hezbollah and Amal lift their flags during a motorbike rally after voting. AFP
Children swim in an inflatable pool that supporters of former prime minister Saad Hariri installed to illustrate their intention to boycott parliamentary elections in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo
Voters queue to place their vote in parliamentary elections in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, stands in a polling booth to vote in Tebnin. Reuters
Voters register at a polling station in Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese President Michel Aoun follows the parliamentary elections on screens from the Presidential Palace in Beirut. AP
A Lebanese woman shows her inked finger after she cast her vote at a polling station in Beirut. AP
Voters look at a list of candidates at a polling station in Beirut. Bloomberg
Lebanese policemen help a voter into a polling station in Beirut. AP
A Lebanese voter casts her ballot paper in Beirut. EPA
Gyorgy Holvenyi (R), chief observer of the European Union election observation mission, visits a polling station in Beirut. EPA
Lebanese people wait to vote during parliamentary elections in the capital city. EPA
Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Grand Mufti of Lebanon, casts his ballot paper during parliamentary elections in Beirut. EPA
People queue to cast their votes in the Lebanese capital. AP
Posters in Al Tariq Al Jadida, Beirut, depict Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri. Reuters
A woman prepares her ballot at a polling station in a southern suburb of Beirut. AFP
Former prime minister Hassan Diab, who succeeded Saad Hariri, casts his ballot in Beirut. AFP
A voter checks lists for the parliamentary election at a polling station in the Lebanese capital Beirut. AFP
A woman waits to vote in Beirut. EPA
Security forces stand guard at Nur Square on the southern entrance of the northern Lebanese port city Tripoli. AFP
Former Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora casts his vote at a polling station during the parliamentary election, in Sidon, southern Lebanon. Reuters
A man check voters' lists in the capital Beirut. AP
A woman votes in Lebanon's parliamentary elections in Beirut. AP
Police check the ID of voters outside a polling station near the Lebanese coastal city of Byblos (Jbeil), north of Beirut. AFP
A voter dips her finger in ink after casting her ballot in the parliamentary election at a polling station near Byblos. AFP
A Lebanese woman shows her ink-marked thumb after voting in Shmustar, Bekaa valley. EPA
People queueing to vote at Ras El Nabeh Public School for Girls. Fatima Al Mahmoud/ The National
A longstanding problem has been the West’s proclivity to exclude Iran’s regional activities, some of which Hezbollah has had a hand in, from its nuclear negotiations with Tehran, concerned that this would amount to a deal-breaker. However, it is important for countries engaged in dialogue with the Iranian regime to raise this issue for the sake of long-term regional stability.
The international community may claim to be interested in preserving Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty. But, then, it must do more than simply “observe” the alleged human rights abuses by the ruling politicians, whose policies have impoverished more than half the country's population. Indeed, a report recently published by the UN’s special envoy on poverty, Olivier de Schutter, accusing the Lebanese government and Central Bank of violating human rights by destroying the economy in and of itself isn’t enough. The report must be sent to the UN Human Rights Council for further action to be taken.
Multilateral organisations, including the UN, the World Bank and the IMF, know who in Lebanon will block the preliminary $3 billion aid package conditioned on eight key reforms. They know who is already preventing reforms from happening and who is resisting the IMF’s conditions. They also know who disrupted the investigation into the Beirut Port blast in August 2020, which killed more than 200 people.
There is a need for all the stakeholders inside and outside Lebanon to activate local, regional and international options through a calculated strategy of accumulating legal, economic and political gains. This should be part of a clear mechanism and timeframe.
No matter the outcome of the election, it will be greatly undermined unless there is sufficient scrutiny of Hezbollah’s schemes, some of which are violent, to supplant Lebanon's sovereignty with its resistance movement. Indeed, these schemes – which include turning the country’s precious national resources into bargaining chips in the negotiations with Israel and international energy companies – will end up subjugating an entire country and its people.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
All matches in Bulawayo Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30 Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7 Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16 First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20 Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24 Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27 Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31 Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3 T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Company Profile
Name: Thndr Started: 2019 Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr Sector: FinTech Headquarters: Egypt UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi Current number of staff: More than 150 Funds raised: $22 million
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
