The death in southern Lebanon of a local official from the Lebanese Forces, parliament’s largest political party, has led to the opening of a security forces investigation during heightened tension in the country.
Elias Hasrouni, 72, was a co-ordinator for the LF in the Bint Jbeil region and a resident of Ain Ebel, a village only a few kilometres from the UN-patrolled Blue Line that separates Lebanon and Israel.
Mr Hasrouni was found dead in his car by local villagers last Wednesday. He had a head injury and it appeared that he had a car accident.
But this narrative was not accepted by the LF and some family members and associates.
“The car didn’t look like it had had an accident,” an LF source told The National.
Friends and family then went around the area asking locals if anyone had any cameras installed that could have shed light on what happened. Earlier this week, they had a breakthrough.
“They found footage showing that his car was obstructed by a convoy of SUVs,” the source said, adding that they were armed. His car appears to then have been escorted away.
After the information was shared with security officials, the LF source said Mr Hasrouni’s buried body was dug up.
The autopsy showed that he had been beaten with a pistol and strangled.
A security source confirmed to The National that an investigation has been launched, describing it as a “normal step”, without giving further details.
LF leader Samir Geagea released a statement saying that recent developments had “undoubtedly revealed” that the death of Mr Hasrouni “was not the result of an accident”.
“Elias was a victim of an ambush by at least two cars, concealing six to nine persons, who obstructed the passage of Elias and kidnapped him, driving him to another location where they have murdered him,” Mr Geagea said.
“These new evidences are now in the possession of the security agencies, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces Intelligence Directorate and the Internal Security Forces Information Branch.”
While politics in the deep south is dominated by Shiite groups Amal and Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, there are Christian areas there too.
The LF put forward a candidate in the region for the 2018 parliamentary elections, but refrained from doing so in last year's legislative poll.
There will be questions over whether Hezbollah – to which the LF is deeply opposed – is responsible, although that is unclear at the moment and fingers are not being publicly pointed at the group.
The powerful and influential group has a history of assassinating its rivals and southern Lebanon is one its main strongholds.
“In this part of Lebanon, people tend to think it is fully Shiite and under the control of Hezbollah. It is not,” the LF source said.
The LF is urging Lebanon’s state and security institutions to take action and prevent any unrest.
The killing comes at a time of particularly heightened intercommunal tension in Lebanon, which is in the middle of an economic crisis and an unprecedented governance vacuum.
On Wednesday night, a Hezbollah lorry carrying ammunition overturned in Kahaleh, a Christian town in the hills overlooking the capital, Beirut.
Hezbollah gunmen escorting the lorry then engaged in a shoot-out with local residents, leading to two deaths – one from each side.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun left the palace in Baabda at the end of last October.
In 12 sessions, the deeply divided parliament – where no faction holds a majority – has been unable to agree on a successor.
In the most recent session in June, the main Lebanese Christian parties – as well as some independent MPs – backed Jihad Azour, a former finance minister and regional director at the International Monetary Fund.
Meanwhile, the Shiite groups voted for Suleiman Frangieh, a close friend of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
These events come with Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s cabinet operating under caretaker status, and thus severely restricted in its power.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
Naga
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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
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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