When Lebanon turned 100 in September 2020, very few Lebanese celebrated. Many of them realised that, for all intents and purposes, their country had more or less ended as a commonwealth of the country’s sectarian communities. What remains is a dysfunctional place in which any shared sense of national community appears to be dead.
That’s not surprising, and everyday events only reaffirm this. A delegation from the International Monetary Fund visited Beirut two weeks ago, and the general impression after they had left was that the members of Lebanon’s political and financial elite have no intention of implementing IMF reforms to address the financial collapse of 2019.
In pursuit of their personal or sectoral interests, this elite prefers to do nothing rather than adopt reforms that might save at least a portion of the deposits of a large number of Lebanese. An estimated 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.
In other words, the minimal responsibility of the political and financial leadership, which is to work for the benefit of the country’s population, is utterly absent. Instead, leaders help only their communities, and almost always only in ways that enhance their power over them, while doing nothing that can revive Lebanon as a nation.
However, it would be naive to assume that financial and economic reforms are a panacea for Lebanon’s problems. What collapsed in October 2019 was much more than the country’s economy. It was an entire system of governance that had emerged from the civil war of 1975-1990. This system was effectively a transposition of the wartime order to a peacetime order in which former militia leaders captured the state.
Sectarian wartime leaders took over ministries and began profiting from post-war reconstruction. The impresario of this post-war order was Rafiq Hariri, who had the credibility and energy to attract foreign capital. His appointment was the consequence of an understanding between Saudi Arabia and Syria, in which Mr Hariri would manage the economy and reconstruction while Syria would run political affairs.
Syrian dominance led to two main developments: the systematic undermining of constitutional principles, as Lebanon’s basic law was violated time and again, or manipulated in such a way that it created precedents that were entirely at odds with the intentions of the framers of the constitution.
The minimal responsibility of the political and financial leadership is utterly absent
And second, Syria decided that Hezbollah and other pro-Syrian groups would not be disarmed as most militias had been, because they were engaged in “resistance” against Israel. This allowed Hezbollah to build up a weapons arsenal so that in 2005, after the withdrawal of Syrian forces, the party emerged as the dominant force in Lebanon, imposing its will on all and contributing to the demise of the sectarian social contract.
And lest we blame only the Lebanese for what happened, the post-war system was blessed by the international community and the Arab world, who gave Syria free rein to impose its preferences on the country. Lebanon’s abandonment to former gunmen and to a Syrian regime that devastated its national institutions was a collective crime.
The reality today is that the Lebanese system has run its course. The shocking wastefulness of the post-war years, in which the financial order was built around funding the political and financial elite, is dead. Society has lost all confidence in the banking sector, which continues to rob them on a daily basis. The former governor of the central bank, Riad Salameh, for so long praised as the guru of Lebanon’s financial success, was shown to be a grifter who only delayed and compounded the country’s ruin.
Despite all this, the post-war ruling class appears to have no proposal to take Lebanon out of its mess. Now that they cannot unite around collectively plundering the state, the politicians are more divided than ever, agreeing only that IMF reforms could weaken their position by changing their way of doing things and generating popular unrest.
It’s in that context that we must understand Lebanon’s inability to rally around a unifying figure they can elect to the presidency. Constitutionally, the president is the “symbol of the nation’s unity”, except that today the presidency is nothing more than the embodiment of Lebanon’s chronic absence of unity. Therefore, in being incapable of agreeing on a successor to Michel Aoun, the country’s political forces have sounded the death knell of the Second Republic, which followed the Taif Accord of 1989.
Lebanon finds itself in a destructive limbo today – caught between a system that doesn’t work and that is rejected by a majority of the population, but that is also remarkably resilient because most Lebanese remain, paradoxically, loyal to their sectarian leaderships. In light of this stalemate, the country’s dissolution is likely to continue, with no prospect of resurrecting the system on more solid, consensual foundations.
As the system pursues its decline, other dynamics are coming into play to make any revival all but impossible. Hezbollah is profiting from the vacuum at the level of the state to expand its margin of manoeuvre and advance Iranian regional interests, not least on the Palestinian front. Thousands of Syrians are entering Lebanon every day, escaping the dire economic conditions in Syria, further altering Lebanese demographics.
Such developments will only increase sectarian anxieties and tensions, pushing all communities to harden their position. Even the war years were not as bad as things are today. The Lebanon my generation knew is gone. What remains is a crippled country that does not even have the means to acknowledge its own passing.
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
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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
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Results
Stage three:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s
General Classification:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
