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Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem hinted at a change in approach to Lebanese internal affairs from the group in a speech on Wednesday, suggesting a willingness to help elect a new president and to support efforts to reconstruction efforts in the country.
“Our internal efforts will be carried out within the framework of the Taif Agreement,” Mr Qassem said in reference to the accord that brought an end to the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war, which redistributed and equalised power between the country’s various confessions. He said that the armed group would contribute to reconstruction efforts, support the election of a new president after years of political stalemate, and take a more active role in political life.
Lebanon has been without a president for more than two years, with Hezbollah refusing to back down on its support for Marada leader Suleiman Frangieh. Twelve failed presidential election sessions have been held since Michel Aoun left the presidential palace in Baabda in October 2022 – but none since Israel and Hezbollah’s war broke out a year later.
Mr Qassem assumed leadership of Hezbollah after Israel killed its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in a massive bombing in Beirut in September. His speech had initially been scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed until Wednesday as US special envoy Amos Hochstein held talks to Beirut to negotiate a ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Although both Mr Hochstein and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, who is representing Hezbollah, have voiced optimism over the latest attempt to push through a US-proposed truce deal, Israel's insistence on retaining the right to act against perceived Hezbollah threats has proved a sticking point. Israel also wants to be formally given the right to continue to violate Lebanese airspace for intelligence purposes – as it has done tens of thousands of times in recent years in violation of a UN resolution that ended its last war with Hezbollah in 2000. Lebanon rejects this as an infringement of its sovereignty.
“The Israeli side expects to take from the agreement what it did not win in war, and this is not possible,” Mr Qassem said in the televised speech. Mr Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, seeking to clinch a ceasefire agreement after the Lebanese government and Hezbollah agreed to a US ceasefire proposal, although with some comments.
“The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday, and made additional progress,” he said on Wednesday after his second meeting with Mr Berri. “So I will travel from here in a couple hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can."
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
The%20specs
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Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution