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.
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
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
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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
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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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.
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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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