Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri says it is not the time to try to influence Lebanese public opinion. AFP
Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri says it is not the time to try to influence Lebanese public opinion. AFP
Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri says it is not the time to try to influence Lebanese public opinion. AFP
Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri says it is not the time to try to influence Lebanese public opinion. AFP

Saad Hariri: Beirut blast anniversary no launchpad for electoral campaigns


Aya Iskandarani
  • English
  • Arabic

Listen to the latest podcast on the Beirut blast here.

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri cautioned against using the one-year anniversary of the Beirut explosion on Wednesday to score political gains.

“The volcano that devastated Beirut, its people and its neighbourhoods, is not a platform for bidding and political investment in the grief of afflicted citizens,” he said in a tweet on Tuesday.

“This is a day to liberate justice from political duels and media trials, not a day to launch electoral campaigns and bribe Lebanese public opinion with justice on demand.”

The remark is a veiled reference to political rivals and opposition groups likely to contest next year’s parliamentary elections.

Civil society groups have organised protests and marches to mark the blast and demand justice, gatherings that are expected to draw large crowds on Wednesday.

The international community and local demonstrators have accused Lebanon’s entrenched political class of widespread corruption and political inaction in the midst of severe economic collapse.

The explosion killed at least 214 people and wounded 6,500 others. But an investigation has yet to determine who was responsible for the devastation in a country where the judiciary is highly politicised.

  • A protester argues with security forces as demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims gather outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    A protester argues with security forces as demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims gather outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • A protester holds up an image of three of the Beirut blast victims during a demonstration outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    A protester holds up an image of three of the Beirut blast victims during a demonstration outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Protesters scuffle with security forces as they attempt to break into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Protesters scuffle with security forces as they attempt to break into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Demonstrators stand before Lebanese security forces after protesters and families of the Beirut blast victims broke into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Demonstrators stand before Lebanese security forces after protesters and families of the Beirut blast victims broke into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims chant slogans during a protest outside the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut.
    Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut.
  • Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut, Lebanon.
    Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Protesters scuffle with security forces as they attempt to break into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    Protesters scuffle with security forces as they attempt to break into the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
  • Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut.
    Families and relatives of victims of the August Beirut port explosion clash with Lebanese riot police during a protest outside the Lebanese interior minister's house in Beirut.
  • A protester stands next to tear gas fumes rising over broken, empty coffins brought by demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims, laid on the ground outside the entrance to the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.
    A protester stands next to tear gas fumes rising over broken, empty coffins brought by demonstrators and families of the Beirut blast victims, laid on the ground outside the entrance to the residence of Lebanon's interior minister in the Qoraitem neighbourhood of western Beirut.

Mr Hariri also repeated his call for an international probe into the port blast should parliamentarians fail to amend Lebanon’s constitution to prosecute powerful officials.

“There will be no truth without either a transparent international investigation or the suspension of constitutional articles to strip everyone of immunity,” he said.

Mr Hariri said last week that his parliamentary bloc was working on a proposal to lift immunity from all officials in the port investigation, a plan backed by political leaders including Parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

Civil society activists have accused Mr Hariri and others of seeking to further delay the probe by introducing constitutional amendments that may prove difficult to carry out.

Immunity from prosecution

Parliamentarians enjoy immunity from prosecution if they are in session.

Investigative judge Tarek Bitar last month requested to strip members of Parliament and former ministers Nohad Machnouk, Ali Hassan Khali and Ghazi Zeaiter of their immunity in the blast probe, and called for other high officials to face prosecution.

The suggestion sparked hope that powerful officials may yet be held accountable for the devastating explosion but Parliament has yet to rule on Mr Bitar’s request.

Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government for a year as sectarian leaders bicker over their shares of ministerial portfolios in the next government. Mr Hariri stepped down as prime minister-designate last month after nine months of bickering with the president over the Cabinet's makeup.

The three-time prime minister said the explosion highlighted “the state of loss, denial, neglect in the political, judicial, administrative and military institutions”.

All parties should refrain from pressuring the judiciary and intervening in the probe, President Michel Aoun said on Tuesday, calling on indicted officials to cooperate with the lead investigative judge.

"The challenge that the lead investigator and the judiciary will face later on is to reveal the truth, conduct a trial, and issue a fair ruling in an acceptable period of time, because delayed justice is no justice," Mr Aoun said in a brief speech on the eve of the blast's one-year anniversary.

  • The site of the August 4 explosion at Beirut port in December. Reuters
    The site of the August 4 explosion at Beirut port in December. Reuters
  • Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon on August 4, 2020. Reuters
    Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Beirut's port area, Lebanon on August 4, 2020. Reuters
  • Joana Dagher, 33, who lost her memory for two full months from the trauma she suffered in the massive August explosion at the Beirut port takes pictures of the explosion scene from her damaged apartment rooftop. AP
    Joana Dagher, 33, who lost her memory for two full months from the trauma she suffered in the massive August explosion at the Beirut port takes pictures of the explosion scene from her damaged apartment rooftop. AP
  • The mental health impact of the Beirut explosion that killed more than 200 and wounded more than 6,000 continues to lay its heavy weight on those who managed to survive the day. AP
    The mental health impact of the Beirut explosion that killed more than 200 and wounded more than 6,000 continues to lay its heavy weight on those who managed to survive the day. AP
  • A general view shows damage at the site of the blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon. Reuters
    A general view shows damage at the site of the blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon. Reuters
  • A drone picture shows the destruction after the explosion in the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon. AP
    A drone picture shows the destruction after the explosion in the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon. AP
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

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

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.”

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

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%3Cp%3E1.%20Baghdad%2C%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E2.%20Manama%2C%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dhahran%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E4.%20Kuwait%20City%2C%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E5.%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E6.%20Ash%20Shihaniyah%2C%20Qatar%3Cbr%3E7.%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E8.%20Cairo%2C%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E9.%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E10.%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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Updated: August 04, 2021, 5:44 AM