Lebanon has not had a fully functioning government since early August, when Prime Minister Hassan Diab submitted his resignation in the aftermath of the horrific explosion in Beirut port. Since then, he has served in a caretaker capacity. Meanwhile, Saad Hariri, a former prime minister, has attempted to form a government of his own after he was tasked with doing so by a majority of Parliament last October 22.
Mr Hariri has not progressed since then, mainly because of disagreements with President Michel Aoun and the President’s son-in-law, Gebran Bassil, over a number of portfolios, the size of the government and who will appoint Christian ministers. That Lebanon is sinking ever deeper into economic calamity seems to worry the politicians little as they continue to hold tightly to their own political demands.
On the basis of this behaviour alone, to dismiss many of Lebanon’s political and financial leaders as a cartel of criminals would be not far from the truth. After having bankrupted the country through their decades of corruption, thereby robbing millions of citizens of their life savings, they continue to delay all efforts to introduce the reforms necessary to secure financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
There is a continuing debate over why Mr Hariri remains unable to form a government. Some insist the problems are external. The militant party Hezbollah, the main powerbroker in Lebanon, is allegedly unwilling to push Mr Aoun and Mr Bassil to compromise because it is waiting to see how the administration of US President-elect Joe Biden will deal with Lebanon once it takes office. Therefore, it prefers to preserve its alliance with both men by avoiding putting pressure on them.
Another version is that Mr Bassil seeks a third of the ministers in any new government, giving him leverage to obstruct all governmental action at the end of Mr Aoun’s term. By doing so, he could increase his pressure on parliamentary blocs to elect him as president to succeed his father in law. Mr Hariri rejects this.
Such explanations may be true in part, but they don’t tell us why the Lebanese system is collapsing so ignominiously. The explanation is more prosaic: the country’s political cartel was able to act cohesively in the past because they all collaborated in pillaging the system. Now that the economy is collapsing, the politicians are divided and in disarray.
In a generalised atmosphere of recrimination, no one, not even Hezbollah, is really able to corral the politicians towards consensus. Division can serve Hezbollah in some ways, because a quarrelling political class is easier for it to control. But this also means havoc in the way the state is run, meaning the militant party could only enter into a conflict with Israel at grave domestic risk. The violent reaction against such a war from a suffering Lebanese population would be difficult to contain if the country’s sectarian political leaders are antagonistic towards one another.
Given the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah’s main foreign sponsor, in the aftermath of the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist last week, Hezbollah cannot take this possibility lightly. Lebanon’s chaotic political atmosphere makes the party’s entry into a war highly unfavourable; but trying to impose an end to this situation by pressing for a compromise on the government may alienate leading political actors, such as Mr Aoun, whose support Hezbollah will need in the event of a conflict.
Beyond regional considerations, what does it say about Lebanon that it appears unable to have a cohesive leadership when political elites are unable to divvy up the national pie? It implies that outside of a context of official larceny, the politicians seem to have no notion of how to run the state.
That’s not surprising. When Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990, the post-war order was built on the wartime sectarian militia leaders, over whom a pragmatic businessman, Rafik Hariri, Saad Hariri’s father, presided as prime minister. That order was orchestrated largely by Syria, which looted the revenues of the system with its political allies. The elder Mr Hariri understood that the only way he could advance his project to rebuild the country was to go along with this setup and ensure that everyone benefited.
Not even Hezbollah is really able to corral Beirut's politicians toward consensus
Things worked while everyone was making money. However, by 2019 the strains on that system had become evident, as years of decline in capital inflows to Lebanon began undermining a financial sector that could no longer pay for government debt and expenditures. In October of last year, the system began to crumble, while the members of the political class struggled to preserve their shares in it.
This led them to turn against one another. They understood that reform was needed to preserve the corrupt order they had built. But, invariably, they wanted their political enemies to make the sacrifices, not themselves. Suddenly, politicians were accusing their rivals of corruption, portraying themselves as paragons of virtue, leading to a breakdown in the cartel’s unity.
That is where Lebanon stands today. How the country can exit from its deadly impasse remains a mystery. Some might see advantages in the end of the politicians’ code of silence. But the problem is that this is perilous when Lebanon is a drifting ship approaching the reefs. Lebanon’s civil war years were a terrifying chapter in its history, but it is surprising that many Lebanese now find themselves saying that they were less objectionable than what prevails today.
Michael Young is a senior editor at the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut and a columnist for The National
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
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
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
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
The years Ramadan fell in May
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Match info
Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')
Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')
Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
NBA Finals results
Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1 Man City 26 20 3 3 63 17 63
2 Liverpool 25 17 6 2 64 20 57
3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
7 Wolves 24 12 4 8 23 18 40
8 Tottenham 23 12 4 8 31 31 39
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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