It can be easy to forget the Lebanon and Israel are still officially in a state of war. Thankfully, the days of the most terrible military violence are largely behind them. Today, it is mostly rhetoric between the two sides and a series of stalemates that serve as reminders of the conflict.
However, an important and symbolic one might soon be solved. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said his country had reached a “historic deal” with Lebanon regarding a longstanding maritime boundary dispute. In a slightly less definite manner, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said he hoped to announce a final agreement “as soon as possible”, but Elias Bou Saab, Lebanon's lead negotiator in the recent talks, which were moderated by the US, said that a “solution that satisfies both parties” had been reached.
A deal would lead to two main practical resolutions. The first would be finally agreeing on the course of a disputed 5-kilometre maritime border, which has not been set since Israel was established in 1948. The second would be to solidify the terms of Israel's share of future profits from the disputed Karish gas field, which could flow very quickly after a deal.
It is not just the practical results of a deal that would be significant. Getting one would serve as an important precedent of both countries coming together diplomatically after bitter decades stretching back well into the 20th century. Lebanon has been and still is home to plenty of political actors more than happy to refer to Israel in the most aggressive and violent of terms. Hassan Nasrallah, the head of militant Lebanese group Hezbollah has for example said that his group has enough missiles to send Israel "back to the Stone Age".
Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the deal heavily, saying it is effectively Israel signing its strategic resources over to an enemy. He is one of Israel's most pivotal politicians, if not the most.
As inevitable turbulence hits, both sides must keep faith in a deal. If they are able to put aside differences, tangible commercial benefits will very quickly ensue. Lebanese caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said on Tuesday that French company TotalEnergies would begin the process of exploring for gas in Lebanese waters as soon as an agreement happens. That is crucial for Lebanon, whose rapid economic and social decline continues apace.
There is still the possibility of the process being derailed. Mr Aoun's term of office ends on October 31 and the following day Israel heads to the polls for the fifth time in less than four years. It is very hard to predict the makeup of its new government, but many on the ascendant right will not be happy about an agreement. There are also legal questions over whether a transitional government can sign deals of such magnitude in an election period. More generally, on the Lebanese side, Mr Aoun appears keen to stress that that a deal would not signify a “partnership” with Israel, which Lebanon still does not recognise as a country.
However, strong words like these can be viewed both ways. That such differences can be put aside is a sign that Lebanon wants, perhaps most of all needs, a deal. Lebanese people want more pragmatism in their politics and the region needs more co-operation, particularly between Israel and neighbouring Arab states. An important side note is that the US was heavily involved in talks, a welcome example of American leadership during a period in which Washington has faced criticism for distraction when it comes to the Middle East.
Many more points of agreement will need to be found before Lebanon and Israel find peace. But the first step is often the hardest, and that is why the next few days could hold one of the most positive stories to have come from the region this year.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
THE%20SPECS
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
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Rating: 5/5
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Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
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Arsenal 2
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 45 4'
Eddie Ntkeiah 51'
Portsmouth 0
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
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