Despite the dire economic straits in which their country finds itself, for many in Lebanon $25 not an impossible sum to get together. That is the current asking price for one of the black-market AK-47 assault rifles flooding the troubled country after collapse of the Syrian army. The growing availability of these weapons in a country already awash with guns should alarm everyone who wants to see Lebanon turn a corner on instability, invasion and inertia.
On Wednesday, The National spoke to a Lebanese security source who confirmed that local dealers were taking advantage of the upheaval across the border to buy and smuggle in cheap firearms. “The northern region of the country is now full of Syrian arms,” the source said.
That some Lebanese feel the need to arm themselves with unregistered guns is not new; it is a symptom of the country’s many serious domestic problems. A report released last year by the Global Organised Crime Index found that many Lebanese “turn to ‘self-security’ to protect themselves and their families by purchasing arms on the black market”. The demand for weapons “surged in the aftermath of the port explosion in Beirut in August 2020”, it added.
The sudden influx of firearms from Syria has left the authorities worried, understandably, about the consequences. If the Lebanese state is to re-establish its monopoly on the use of force and regain the trust of the public, the Lebanese Armed Forces must be empowered to contain this phenomenon.
International support for the army is more likely to be forthcoming if donor countries feel that Lebanon is on the road to having a fully functioning government
Lebanon’s army is under great strain and has been for years. As Sami Halabi of the Lebanese think tank Badil wrote in The National earlier this year: “Institutional bloat, accusations of graft and political infighting have rendered the LAF highly dysfunctional, with little capacity to secure the country at large, let alone one of the world’s most volatile borders.”
It is clear that this national symbol of Lebanese statehood – one that, importantly for Lebanon, transcends sectarian lines – must be enabled to do its job properly. Implementing UN Security Resolution 1701 to disarm Hezbollah and ensure the monopoly over the use of arms with the state is vital – and is part of the current ceasefire deal with Israel.
Some countries have already promised to help, with nations meeting at a donor conference in Paris in October promising $200 million for Lebanon’s security forces. During a visit to Abu Dhabi earlier this month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would support the initial training of hundreds of Lebanese army recruits and provide equipment through contractors to bolster its ability to maintain security in the south of the country. On the same day, 62 armoured personnel carriers donated by Jordan arrived in Beirut.
These are all worthy steps but even more support is needed, given the sobering array of tasks facing Lebanon’s military. The sudden influx of illegal guns from Syria only adds to a complicated situation in which Israeli troops are still on Lebanese territory and Hezbollah militants remain active. The armed forces also need to be ready to fulfil their stabilising role in partnership with UN peacekeepers.
International support for the army is more likely to be forthcoming if donor countries see that Lebanon is heading to having a fully functioning government and a new president in place. Political leadership and an army that is fit for purpose are vital if Lebanon is to, one day, become a country where some citizens don’t feel that they have no choice but to arm themselves.
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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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
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule
12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)
2pm Formula One final practice
5pm Formula One qualifying
6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
