Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote on Thursday. Today’s news that elected representatives have finally elected a new head of state – despite a disruptive session with harsh exchanges - comes as a relief. Reuters
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote on Thursday. Today’s news that elected representatives have finally elected a new head of state – despite a disruptive session with harsh exchanges - comes as a relief. Reuters
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote on Thursday. Today’s news that elected representatives have finally elected a new head of state – despite a disruptive session with harsh exchanges - comes as a relief. Reuters
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri casts his vote on Thursday. Today’s news that elected representatives have finally elected a new head of state – despite a disruptive session with harsh exchang


Lebanon's new president Joseph Aoun has an opportunity to rebuild


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January 09, 2025

As departing interviews go, Lebanese president Michel Aoun’s remarks on the eve of his resignation in October 2022 were prescient. He told the Reuters news agency that without a replacement or formal Cabinet lined up, the country faced “constitutional chaos”.

Since then, Lebanon has indeed suffered from "constitutional chaos", witnessing a difficult era characterised by political inertia. A caretaker administration was left to tackle the fallout out from the country’s catastrophic financial collapse, the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion and last year’s Israeli invasion and occupation. Despite its efforts, few answers to the nation’s myriad crises were forthcoming. Therefore, today’s news that its elected representatives have finally got together to choose a new head of state – despite a disruptive session with harsh exchanges between MPs - comes as a relief.

Electing former army chief Joseph Aoun as president, ending two years and four months of a presidential vacuum is an important moment.

Former army chief Joseph Aoun has the advantage of coming from an institution that best represents Lebanese sovereignty and cross-community allegiance – the armed forces. AFP
Former army chief Joseph Aoun has the advantage of coming from an institution that best represents Lebanese sovereignty and cross-community allegiance – the armed forces. AFP

Lebanon, a country that has endured much outside interference, has the chance to begin national rebuilding. Syria has broken with the Assad dynasty that invaded and occupied Lebanon in 1976 before being ousted by the Cedar Revolution of 2005. Iran is another foreign power that has repeatedly meddled in Lebanese affairs but its main vehicle for this manipulation – Hezbollah – has suffered a string of serious setbacks in recent months. Mr Aoun, no relation to his predecessor, takes power at an opportune moment.

Indeed, there are several other reasons for cautious optimism. Mr Aoun has the advantage of coming from an institution that best represents Lebanese sovereignty and cross-community allegiance – the Lebanese Armed Forces. He will also enjoy the goodwill for foreign donors who are ready to finance much-need reconstruction. In addition, international markets have responded positively to the idea of an Aoun presidency; on Wednesday the value of Lebanon's government Eurobonds soared as investors anticipated MPs choosing Mr Aoun. Hezbollah, Mr Aoun’s biggest domestic challenge, is much chastened after dragging its country to war and losing a great deal of its senior leadership to Israeli attacks. Should the movement wish to keep its remaining influence, it would make strategic sense for it to work co-operatively with an Aoun-led administration.

Now that the political inertia plaguing Lebanon is over, swift and decisive steps are needed

A quick look at Mr Aoun’s in-tray reveals many challenges. Firstly, there is the business of appointing a new prime minister as well as balanced and functional Cabinet – no easy task in a country where sectarianism is hardwired into its constitutional makeup. As a shaky truce with Israel continues to hold and Israeli units reportedly pull back from occupied Lebanese territory, stabilising the country’s borders, and re-establishing the state’s monopoly on force are also critical to-do items. Syria’s future remains uncertain and as The National has reported, the flow of illegal arms across the border into Lebanon poses a grave security risk. There is also the mammoth task of building accommodation, healthcare and schooling facilities for the thousands of Lebanese displaced by Israeli bombardments.

No one should expect miracles; as outlined above, Lebanon’s challenges are many and varied. But now that the political inertia plaguing Lebanon is over, swift and decisive steps to shore up its sovereignty, provide for people left homeless by war or impoverished by financial collapse, could mean finding a path out of the “constitutional chaos” the previous occupant of Baabda Palace predicted more than two years ago.

Best Foreign Language Film nominees

Capernaum (Lebanon)

Cold War (Poland)

Never Look Away (Germany)

Roma (Mexico)

Shoplifters (Japan)

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

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The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

The specs: Volvo XC40

Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000

Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km

The biog

Age: 19 

Profession: medical student at UAE university 

Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)

Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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Updated: January 10, 2025, 5:57 AM`