Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah lost an appeal against a law barring his candidacy for the presidential race. AP
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah lost an appeal against a law barring his candidacy for the presidential race. AP
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah lost an appeal against a law barring his candidacy for the presidential race. AP
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah lost an appeal against a law barring his candidacy for the presidential race. AP

Libya PM Dbeibah barred from running in December election


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Libya’s presidential election process is in disarray after an appeals court disqualified Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah from standing as a candidate.

The ruling was not unexpected, as election law requires candidates to stand-down from any official posts, including the post of prime minister, three months before polling day, which is December 24.

Mr Dbeibah ignored the rule, Article 12 in the election law, and submitted his candidacy this month, becoming one of 98 candidates.

The ruling by the Tripoli Appeals Court was announced on Sunday and also records that Mr Dbeibah is standing for election despite pledging, on taking office as prime minister in February, not to do so.

Mr Dbeibah is a wealthy 62-year old businessman from the western town of Misurata who, before becoming prime minister, had no political profile.

He rose to prominence under the regime of dictator Muammar Qaddafi, who appointed him as head of the powerful state-owned construction agency, the Libyan Investment and Development Company (Lidco).

He was chosen as prime minister in February by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, but researchers said in a leaked UN report to the Security Council that there were allegations that at least three participants were bribed during the selection process.

The full UN report into the bribery allegation was not made public.

Mr Dbeibah’s supporters argue for his record of keeping the Government of National Unity, Libya’s first united government since 2014, intact since it took office in March.

His government has managed to sustain a ceasefire in the civil war, signed last October, and Mr Dbeibah has won popularity in recent weeks after announcing several big-spending government programmes.

The court’s rejection of his application widens a divide over the election law. It was issued by parliament last month, but has been rejected by an advisory body, the High Council of State.

Mr Dbeibah has criticised the election law, saying it was designed to favour certain candidates.

“They [parliament] come out with laws designed for personalities, and we cannot be satisfied with this flawed law,” he told a rally in Tripoli this month.

Mr Dbeibah did not immediately comment on the court’s decision and he has the right to appeal against it, in a legal process governed by the time that remains before the election.

Gunmen at Libyan court

Meanwhile, gunmen in the southern town of Sebha continue to bar judges from meeting to consider the appeal of another blocked presidential candidate, Saif Al Islam Qaddafi, son of the late dictator.

His candidacy was struck off by the appeals court because of a conviction for war crimes issued by a Tripoli court. Armed men in jeeps blockaded the Sebha court for a second day on Monday to prevent judges from entering.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has condemned the armed blockade of the courthouse, saying in a statement: "The Mission reiterates its call for holding transparent, fair and inclusive elections on 24 December."

The US Embassy in Tripoli later urged rival groups to uphold the rule of law ahead of the vote. “Attacks against judicial or election facilities or judicial or elections personnel are not only criminal acts, punishable under Libyan law, but also undermine Libyan’s right to participate in the political process.”

The Justice Ministry in Tripoli said an armed group had forced everyone to leave the court building. No faction claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last week, the UN Security Council threatened sanctions against anyone obstructing the elections, and also last week the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK threw their weight behind the election appeals court in a joint statement.

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Did you know?

Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.

Kandahar%20
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How Beautiful this world is!
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

The specs

Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric

Transmission: n/a

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 659Nm

Price estimate: Dh200,000

On sale: Q3 2022 

2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Arabian Gulf League fixtures:

Friday:

  • Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
  • Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
  • Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm

Saturday:

  • Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
  • Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
  • Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm

Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books 

Fight card

1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)

9.  Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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.

Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%203%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Einer%20Rubio%20(COL)%20Movistar%20Team%20-%204h51%E2%80%9924%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%20-%2014%22%3Cbr%3E3.%20Adam%20Yates%20(GBR)%20UAE%20Team%20Emirates%20-%2015%22%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20classifications%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders)%20-%207%22%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20-%2011%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

((Disclaimer))

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh289,000

The%20National%20selections
%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3E6pm%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Man%20Of%20Promise%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Withering%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Mawj%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Falling%20Shadow%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Law%20Of%20Peace%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Naval%20Power%3Cbr%3E10.05pm%3A%20The%20Attorney%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.

It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.

They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh359,000

On sale: now 

Updated: November 30, 2021, 11:04 AM