Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikat proposed on Wednesday inviting central bank governor Riad Salameh to a Cabinet meeting. Reuters
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikat proposed on Wednesday inviting central bank governor Riad Salameh to a Cabinet meeting. Reuters
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikat proposed on Wednesday inviting central bank governor Riad Salameh to a Cabinet meeting. Reuters
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikat proposed on Wednesday inviting central bank governor Riad Salameh to a Cabinet meeting. Reuters

Lebanese prime minister proposes inviting central bank governor Salameh to Cabinet meeting


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In a show of support, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday proposed inviting embattled central bank governor Riad Salameh to a Cabinet meeting.

It followed "lots of discussion about the matter of the relationship with the banks," Information Minister Ziad Al Makary said.

It was an apparent reference to a standoff between Lebanese banks and members of the judiciary who have frozen the assets of seven lenders this month. Mr Salameh himself is facing charges of embezzlement and corruption – which he denies.

Banks went on strike earlier this week in protest over the judicial orders.

Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh. Reuters
Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh. Reuters

No date had been set for Mr Salameh to attend a cabinet meeting, Reuters reported, citing Mr Makary.

The move would be a show of support after Mr Salameh who was charged with illicit enrichment. Mr Salameh has denied the charge brought against him by a Lebanese judge on Monday.

It was the first charge to be brought against the governor, whose wealth is also being probed by authorities in at least five European countries.

Denying the charge, Mr Salameh said he had ordered an audit, which showed public funds were not a source of his wealth.

His tenure has faced increased scrutiny since the financial system imploded in 2019, the most destabilising crisis since Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war.

Judge Ghada Aoun charged Mr Salameh in absentia.

  • A crowded petrol station on the main road that links Beirut to south Lebanon. AP
    A crowded petrol station on the main road that links Beirut to south Lebanon. AP
  • Drivers come from every direction to fill their tanks with fuel. AP
    Drivers come from every direction to fill their tanks with fuel. AP
  • Chronic fuel shortages have plagued the country in recent months, with long queues at petrol stations a common sight. AP
    Chronic fuel shortages have plagued the country in recent months, with long queues at petrol stations a common sight. AP
  • Last month, central bank governor Riad Salameh announced that fuel imports would no longer be subsidised. AP
    Last month, central bank governor Riad Salameh announced that fuel imports would no longer be subsidised. AP
  • Worshippers listen as cleric Ali Al Hussein delivers a sermon during Friday prayers at a fuel station to protest against the severe shortages. AP
    Worshippers listen as cleric Ali Al Hussein delivers a sermon during Friday prayers at a fuel station to protest against the severe shortages. AP
  • People listen to Al Hussein's sermon in the coastal town of Jiyeh, south of Beirut. AP
    People listen to Al Hussein's sermon in the coastal town of Jiyeh, south of Beirut. AP

Last week, judge Aoun charged Riad's brother, Raja Salameh, in the same case and ordered his arrest. He has since been detained.

Mr Raja Salameh’s lawyer has said allegations of illicit enrichment and money laundering against his client were unfounded.

Mr Riad Salameh faces other investigations, including a Swiss inquiry over alleged aggravated money laundering at the central bank involving $300 million in gains by a company owned by his brother.

Judge Aoun's critics accuse her of acting in line with the political agenda of President Michel Aoun, who appointed her as a prosecutor and whose Free Patriotic Movement wants Mr Riad Salameh removed from his post.

Judge Aoun says she is applying the law.

Mr Riad Salameh has described accusations against him as politically motivated.

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Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

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The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

FIXTURES (all times UAE)

Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)

Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

The specs

Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

Torque: 350 and 360Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT 

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors

Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km

Price: from Dh199,900

On sale: now

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap |  Dh85,000 |  2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap |  Dh70,000 |  2,200m
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7.30pm: Handicap (TB) |  Dh100,000 |  1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

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Asian Cup 2019

Quarter-final

UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

While you're here
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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Updated: March 24, 2022, 10:43 AM