Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati rebuked Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for his comments, distancing himself from the group. AP
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati rebuked Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for his comments, distancing himself from the group. AP
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati rebuked Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for his comments, distancing himself from the group. AP
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati rebuked Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for his comments, distancing himself from the group. AP

MENA

Hezbollah's criticism of Saudi Arabia not in Lebanon's interest, says PM

Lebanese leader has called for group to stop 'hateful sectarian and political rhetoric'

The National

January 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's recent verbal attack on Saudi Arabia does not serve Lebanon's national interest or represent the country's official stance, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday.

The comments come as Lebanese authorities are trying to mend relations with Saudi Arabia that hit a new low in October when the kingdom recalled its ambassador from Beirut and banned all Lebanese imports.

The Saudi move followed comments by a Lebanese Cabinet minister who said in a televised interview that the war in Yemen was futile and called it "an aggression" by the Saudi-led coalition.

A number of other Gulf states also withdrew ambassadors and expelled Lebanese envoys over what they said was Hezbollah's dominance of Lebanon.

In a speech on Monday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah lashed out at Saudi Arabia accusing it of being responsible for terrorism.

In response, Mr Mikati rebuked the leader for his comments, distancing himself from the group.

“What … Nasrallah said about the kingdom of Saudi Arabia this evening does not represent the position of the Lebanese government and most Lebanese. It is not in Lebanon's interest to offend any Arab country, especially the Gulf states," said Mr Mikati.

“For God's sake, have mercy on Lebanon and the Lebanese people and stop the hateful sectarian and political rhetoric.”

Lebanese officials including President Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, and Mr Mikati have called for dialogue with Saudi Arabia to resolve the ongoing diplomatic crisis, which added burden to an economic meltdown now in its third year.

Saudi Arabia has called on Lebanon to end “terrorist Hezbollah's” influence over the state.

  • A view of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, with the lights on only in some buildings. Lebanese rely on highly polluting diesel generators run by private neighbourhood operators to make up for shortfalls in electricity supply from the state utility. EPA
    A view of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, with the lights on only in some buildings. Lebanese rely on highly polluting diesel generators run by private neighbourhood operators to make up for shortfalls in electricity supply from the state utility. EPA
  • A fisherman uses a headlamp at the seaside corniche in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
    A fisherman uses a headlamp at the seaside corniche in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
  • A vendor sells LED balloons in full darkness at the corniche in Beirut. EPA
    A vendor sells LED balloons in full darkness at the corniche in Beirut. EPA
  • The near collapse of the national grid has increased the duration of power cuts across Lebanon. EPA
    The near collapse of the national grid has increased the duration of power cuts across Lebanon. EPA
  • Residents of Beirut are experiencing power cuts of up to 20 hours a day. EPA
    Residents of Beirut are experiencing power cuts of up to 20 hours a day. EPA

The Sunni Mr Mikati's government has several ministers backed by Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal movement.

The Lebanese prime minister formed a government in September with the aim of negotiating an International Monetary Fund support programme and kick-starting economic recovery.

But he has been unable to convene the Cabinet since October 12 amid demands by Hezbollah and Amal to limit the probe into the deadly August 2020 Beirut blast.

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

Reading List

Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever

Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

While you're here
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here
MATCH INFO

World Cup qualifier

Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')

UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')

Dunki
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rajkumar%20Hirani%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Taapsee%20Pannu%2C%20Vikram%20Kochhar%20and%20Anil%20Grover%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Updated: January 04, 2022, 9:23 AM
LebanonHezbollahSaudi Arabia