Lebanese politicians responded cautiously on Monday to French President Emmanuel Macron’s accusations of “collective betrayal” after they failed to form a reformist government despite their promises to quickly address the country’s multiple crises.
President Michel Aoun reaffirmed his support for Mr Macron’s efforts to help the country during a meeting with French ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher, noting France’s “concern for Lebanon and the Lebanese”, the state-run National News Agency reported.
President Aoun said he “regretted” prime minister-designate Mustafa Adib’s failure to form a cabinet. Nominated on August 31, nearly three weeks after the resignation of the former government in the wake of the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut port that killed nearly 200 people, Mr Adib stepped down on Saturday as political parties insisted on controlling key portfolios.
President Aoun is expected to reconvene parliament to discuss a new candidate for the premiership, but Lebanese media reported that binding consultations had not begun yet on Monday. President Macron on Sunday gave Lebanese leaders another “four to six weeks” to form a cabinet.
Parliament is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss 40 draft laws, including controversial and repeatedly postponed legislation to fight corruption and lift banking secrecy.
President Macron blasted the entire Lebanese political class in a press conference on Sunday, saying they had not respected their promise to form an independent government within 15 days of his second visit to Lebanon in less than a month on September 1.
The Beirut port explosion deepened Lebanon’s existing woes, which include hyperinflation, record-high unemployment, de facto capital controls in addition to a rapid devaluation of the currency by about 80 per cent.
“I take note that Lebanese political forces made the choice to preserve their partisan and individual interests at the expense of the country’s interest,” said Mr Macron, speaking from the Elysee Palace.
“I am ashamed for your leaders. I am ashamed,” he said in response to a Lebanese journalist’s question, and highlighted the risk of civil war if the political deadlock continued.
“Every day that passes makes finding an agreement more difficult. Every day that passes increases chances of a flare-up of violence,” he said.
President Macron accused Lebanon’s two Shiite parties, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its local ally Amal, of torpedoing the negotiations to form a government. Amal insisted on having a party loyalist at the head of the Finance Ministry, which it has controlled since 2014.
“Hezbollah cannot operate at the same time as an army against Israel, a militia unleashed against civilians in Syria and a respectable political party in Lebanon,” President Macron said.
“Today, the question is really in the hands of [Amal leader Nabih] Berri and Hezbollah: 'Do you want the worst-case scenario or do you want to engage the Shiite camp towards democracy, in the interest of Lebanon?'” asked President Macron.
There was no response from either party on Monday. Former finance minister and Amal member Ali Hassan Khalil, who was sanctioned by the US government for corruption and material support to Hezbollah on September 8, told local television network LBCI that he had “no comments on what was stated in the conference of the French president”.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is expected to respond to President Macron’s accusations in a speech on Tuesday evening. The US considers Hezbollah to be a terrorist organisation, but France makes a distinction between its military and political wing.
Lebanon’s Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Kabalan, who is traditionally aligned Hezbollah, said on Monday that President Macron’s words were a “grave political injustice”.
“We are very open to the French initiative, but we will not accept anything less that what is in the nation’s interest, and threats are shameful. Our doubts are growing,” he said, according to the NNA.
Lebanese daily Al Akhbar, which is sympathetic to Hezbollah, wrote on Monday that the French president had "joined Washington and Riyadh", in reference to their hardline approach to the Iran-backed party, and described Mr Macron's tone as "insolent".
The newspaper claimed that Mr Adib did not resign because of Amal’s insistence on controlling the finance ministry but because of “America’s determination to keep Hezbollah out of the government”.
The European Union joined France in expressing its “disappointment” and “concern” at the political deadlock in Lebanon, stating on Monday that politicians “must unite and do their utmost for the timely formation of a government”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
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
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
The%20specs
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins
