On Monday, Najib Mikati, Lebanon's new Prime Minister, summed up the scale of the task ahead as he attempts to form a Cabinet in the nightmare that is the country's politics: “I don't have a magic wand and can't perform miracles."
It is not normal for newly chosen leaders to speak about magic and miracles, but Lebanon is not in a normal situation. In 2020, real GDP contracted by more than 20 per cent. More than 70 per cent of the capital's buildings were ruined or damaged after an entirely preventable explosion last year killed more than 200 people. And almost 50 per cent of the country's population now live below the poverty line.
Lebanon, therefore, needs whatever good news it can get. There are a few reasons why Mr Mikati's selection could be just that.
One is the very fact that he has been chosen. The country's politics has been in a dangerous stalemate for far too long. And getting into power in Lebanon requires significant political consensus across its confessional governing system. Mr Mikati, a Sunni politician, enters office with the support of 72 MPs, including some affiliated with influential blocs such as the militant organisation Hezbollah, the Speaker of Parliament's Amal Movement and a key party that represents the country's Druze population.
Then there is the career and record of Mr Mikati himself. He has been Prime Minister of Lebanon before, meaning he is familiar with the complexity of its politics. He has a reputation for hard work and good political judgment. While there are questions surrounding financial mismanagement during his time in office, his business acumen is widely recognised, making the billionaire one of the richest men in the Arab world.
Mr Mikati also claims that he starts his leadership having secured substantive political "guarantees" that will help him form a Cabinet, though he has not given much detail on the nature of these promises.
There are also good reasons to be sceptical. Being a former prime minister, he is part of an establishment that is responsible for the tragic situation the country is in today, and there are fears that at least some of his motivations today might be questionable. During the past year, protesters have demonstrated outside his house, accusing him of amassing wealth as ordinary citizens slip into poverty.
And while he has brought important politicians on side, he has failed to secure the backing of key Christian parties, a crucial political camp for securing progress given they control the presidency. It is yet to be seen if they will support his efforts to form a government.
Despite challenges, securing a Cabinet is the best, perhaps the only way forward. It will untie politics at the domestic level and fulfil the condition on which the international community, led by France, will give Beirut desperately needed financial aid.
As Mr Mikati has said, there are no magical or miraculous solutions, only hard work. He starts his tenure in a very difficult position, but there is a national recognition of a need to get out of this position. Notwithstanding any dubiousness in his political background – few politicians have a perfect record – we should wish him the best as he sets out on a critical mission.
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
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
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
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
Results:
Women:
1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70
Men:
1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Afro%20salons
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The%20specs
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Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
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
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Sweet%20Tooth
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What%20is%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%3F%20
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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.
