Michel Moawad stepped down as an MP after the port explosion in Beirut last August. AFP
Michel Moawad stepped down as an MP after the port explosion in Beirut last August. AFP
Michel Moawad stepped down as an MP after the port explosion in Beirut last August. AFP
Michel Moawad stepped down as an MP after the port explosion in Beirut last August. AFP

Son of slain president urges action before Lebanon becomes ‘failed state’


Elias Sakr
  • English
  • Arabic

Lebanon's economic crisis will lead to chaos if left unchecked, one of the country's political leaders has told The National.

For more than 15 years, Michel Moawad, leader of the Independence Movement, has campaigned for a sovereign and independent Lebanon.

But the country, he said, can ill-afford to wait for a new Parliament to begin tackling the worst economic crisis in its modern history.

The National is interviewing political and civil society figures  who are looking ahead to elections in 2022, claiming they can offer a route out of the crisis.

We are very close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that will bring major opposition groups under the umbrella of a uniform programme

Once known for its vibrant banking sector, tourism industry and nightlife, more than half of Lebanon's people are now in  poverty.

"The cost of inaction will be tremendous both for ordinary Lebanese and the international community if Lebanon were to turn into a failed state," Mr Moawad – the son of Rene Moawad, the Lebanese president murdered in November 1989 after just 18 days in office – told The National.

Mr Moawad was speaking from his residence in Baabda overlooking Beirut port – the site of a massive explosion in August which strained Lebanon's already battered economy.

Mr Moawad resigned from Parliament after the blast in protest at what he said was widespread corruption throughout the state.

  • Families of August 4 Beirut port blast victims carry portraits of the deceased during a protest near the scene of explosion in the Lebanese capital, on May 4 2021. EPA
    Families of August 4 Beirut port blast victims carry portraits of the deceased during a protest near the scene of explosion in the Lebanese capital, on May 4 2021. EPA
  • Family members of August 4 Beirut blast victims carry portraits of the deceased relatives, during a protest at the scene of the explosion, on May 4 2021. EPA
    Family members of August 4 Beirut blast victims carry portraits of the deceased relatives, during a protest at the scene of the explosion, on May 4 2021. EPA
  • Protesters gather at the scene of August 4 Beirut port blast that killed more than 200 people, on May 4 2021. EPA
    Protesters gather at the scene of August 4 Beirut port blast that killed more than 200 people, on May 4 2021. EPA
  • Families of the August 4 Beirut blast victims carry portraits of the deceased relatives as they stage a protest in the Lebanese capital. EPA
    Families of the August 4 Beirut blast victims carry portraits of the deceased relatives as they stage a protest in the Lebanese capital. EPA
  • Activists hang portraits of the victims of the August 4 Beirut port explosion on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, drew more than 200 caricatures of the victims. EPA
    Activists hang portraits of the victims of the August 4 Beirut port explosion on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, drew more than 200 caricatures of the victims. EPA
  • Activists hang portraits of the victims of the August 4 Beirut port explosion on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, drew more than 200 caricatures of the victims. EPA
    Activists hang portraits of the victims of the August 4 Beirut port explosion on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, drew more than 200 caricatures of the victims. EPA
  • Protesters carry portraits of August 4 Beirut port blast victims during a demonstration in the Lebanese capital on May 4 2021. EPA
    Protesters carry portraits of August 4 Beirut port blast victims during a demonstration in the Lebanese capital on May 4 2021. EPA
  • Artist Brady Black drew caricatures of more than 200 victims of the August 4 Beirut port blast as part of the campaign titled 'They Matter'. EPA
    Artist Brady Black drew caricatures of more than 200 victims of the August 4 Beirut port blast as part of the campaign titled 'They Matter'. EPA
  • Activists hang portraits of August 4 Beirut blast victims on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, commemorated the deadly explosion that killed more than 200 people. EPA
    Activists hang portraits of August 4 Beirut blast victims on a wall in the Lebanese capital. Artist Brady Black, in partnership with the Art of Change organisation, commemorated the deadly explosion that killed more than 200 people. EPA
  • Silhouette images representing the unidentified victims were also part of the artist's tribute to Beirut port blast victims. EPA
    Silhouette images representing the unidentified victims were also part of the artist's tribute to Beirut port blast victims. EPA

He was joined by a number of independent MPs and members of the Kataeb party, another opposition group.

Since then, Mr Moawad has called for a transitional government of independent experts  to contain the crisis and prepare for parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2022.

But Mr Moawad's calls, like those of his opposition peers,  are falling on deaf ears.

Lebanon is still without a fully functioning government  and it is still not known what triggered the explosion, who owned the explosive chemicals stored there or why they were kept unsafely for six years at one of the region's busiest ports, with the knowledge of the country's top officials and security agencies.

A new economic model

Mr Moawad said the lack of accountability and worsening economic crisis led  the Independence Movement and like-minded opposition groups to rethink their programme beyond the traditional political divide over the pivotal issue of Iran-backed Hezbollah's weapons.

“Prioritising Lebanon’s national interests over foreign agendas is key to the stability and prosperity of our country but should go hand in hand with a new economic model that protects our free-market economy and upholds our liberal values while advancing social justice,” he said.

That model is currently being discussed with the Kataeb party among other opposition groups, Mr Moawad said.

“We are very close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that will bring major opposition groups under the umbrella of a uniform programme that touches on reforming Lebanon’s political system and economic model.”

This programme touches on a wide array of reforms, from the introduction of structural economic changes to decentralisation – one of the main political changes stipulated in the 1989 Syrian-Saudi brokered Taif agreement that ended Lebanon's 15-year civil war.

“Our ultimate objective is to build a functioning decentralised civic state that safeguards pluralism and allows the Lebanese to prosper,” he said.

Like his father, Mr Moawad has long-held the belief that Lebanon would prosper only when the state exercises its full sovereignty.  This was at the core of the alliance that emerged following the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, an event that divided the country into two major rival camps.

The western-backed alliance that brought Mr Moawad together with other members of the March 14 coalition pressured Damascus – blamed by many at the time for Mr Hariri's assassination – into withdrawing its forces from Lebanon after decades of political and military domination .

Rene Moawad died  when a car bomb hit his motorcade on Independence Day. He was known for his moderate positions and his efforts to bridge the gap between warring parties.

His assassination, less than three weeks after his election and the ratification of the Taif agreement, was widely blamed on Damascus.

Mr Moawad says his message resonates more than ever today because Lebanon can no longer afford the costs associated with regional tensions between Iran and its rivals.

The heavy toll the economic crisis is taking on the country’s armed forces was evident in the Lebanese army chief's recent, rare criticism of the ruling class.

"Where are we are heading? What are your plans?" Gen Joseph Aoun asked politicians in March as hundreds of Lebanese took to the streets to protest against a record plunge in the Lebanese pound, which has lost more than 85 per cent of its value against the dollar since August 2019.

  • An anti-government protester shouts slogans in front of the Lebanese Central Bank, at Hamra street, in Lebanon's capital Beirut. EPA
    An anti-government protester shouts slogans in front of the Lebanese Central Bank, at Hamra street, in Lebanon's capital Beirut. EPA
  • Anti-government protesters burn tyres and rubbish bins to block the road leading to Hamra street, during a rally against power cuts, the high cost of living and the low purchasing power of the Lebanese pound, in Beirut. EPA
    Anti-government protesters burn tyres and rubbish bins to block the road leading to Hamra street, during a rally against power cuts, the high cost of living and the low purchasing power of the Lebanese pound, in Beirut. EPA
  • Riot police stand guard in front of the Lebanese Central Bank during an anti-government demonstration. Many Lebanese are angered at the deadlock among political parties in forming a new Cabinet. EPA
    Riot police stand guard in front of the Lebanese Central Bank during an anti-government demonstration. Many Lebanese are angered at the deadlock among political parties in forming a new Cabinet. EPA
  • The Lebanese Central Bank is shrouded in black smoke from burning tyres and rubbish bins. EPA
    The Lebanese Central Bank is shrouded in black smoke from burning tyres and rubbish bins. EPA
  • An anti-government protester shout slogans during a demonstration in Beirut. The national currency has lost more than 85 per cent of its market value against the dollar. EPA
    An anti-government protester shout slogans during a demonstration in Beirut. The national currency has lost more than 85 per cent of its market value against the dollar. EPA
  • Demonstrators have also been protesting against power cuts, caused by fuel shortages and mismanagement in the electricity sector. EPA
    Demonstrators have also been protesting against power cuts, caused by fuel shortages and mismanagement in the electricity sector. EPA
  • An anti-government protester in front of the Lebanese Central Bank, at Hamra street, Beirut. EPA
    An anti-government protester in front of the Lebanese Central Bank, at Hamra street, Beirut. EPA
  • Riot police stand guard in front of the Lebanese Central Bank during an anti-government rally in Beirut. EPA
    Riot police stand guard in front of the Lebanese Central Bank during an anti-government rally in Beirut. EPA
  • Anti-government protesters block a main road in Beirut. EPA
    Anti-government protesters block a main road in Beirut. EPA

Since then, Gen Aoun has engaged major powers, including the US and France, to secure financial and logistical aid for the army, as discontent grows among soldiers whose salaries are losing value.

Co-ordinating international aid 

French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian warned Lebanese officials during a visit to Beirut last month that his government was preparing sanctions on officials they regard as responsible for obstructing the formation of a new Cabinet.

Mr Le Drian’s latest visit featured meetings with members of Lebanon’s growing opposition movement, including Mr Moawad.

Mr Moawad said he was urging the international community to support Lebanon's army, healthcare industry and education sector.

“Maintaining a strong and cohesive military institution and vital health and educational services is key to saving Lebanon and laying the foundations for a strong state,” Mr Moawad said.

“Otherwise, chaos will prevail.”

HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews 

Twitter: @thenationalnews 

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com 

TikTok: @thenationalnews   

Scoreline

UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia

UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’

Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’

Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

UAE rugby season

FIXTURES

West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers v Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Division 1

Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II

Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II

Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens

Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II

Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II

 

LAST SEASON

West Asia Premiership

Winners – Bahrain

Runners-up – Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership

Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners – Dubai Hurricanes

Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Conference

Winners – Dubai Tigers

Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Results

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

RESULT

RS Leipzig 3 

Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'

Emil Forsberg 87'

Tottenham 0

 

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

The specs

Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Power: 160hp

Torque: 385Nm

Price: Dh116,900

On sale: now

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Basquiat in Abu Dhabi

One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier. 

It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.  

“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20OneOrder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tamer%20Amer%20and%20Karim%20Maurice%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cairo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E82%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

NINE WINLESS GAMES

Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)

Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal  (Oct 30, EFL)

Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)

Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal  (Nov 6, Europa)

Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)

Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)

Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)

Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)

Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5