Lindsay Lohan posted an Instagram Reel paying tribute to Lebanon at the weekend. Invision / AP, File
Lindsay Lohan posted an Instagram Reel paying tribute to Lebanon at the weekend. Invision / AP, File
Lindsay Lohan posted an Instagram Reel paying tribute to Lebanon at the weekend. Invision / AP, File
Lindsay Lohan posted an Instagram Reel paying tribute to Lebanon at the weekend. Invision / AP, File

Lindsay Lohan takes summer break in Lebanon


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

While John Legend and Chrissy Teigen chose Egypt as a summer holiday destination this year, Lindsay Lohan has headed to Lebanon.

The newly married actress posted an Instagram Reel featuring highlights from her trip. The short clip reels through pictures of the city skyline from the perspective of a plane; the sun setting as Lohan speeds down a highway from the back seat of a car; another dreamy sunset from an infinity pool; the Our Lady of Lebanon statue at a Harissa church; and the Saint Charbel statue in Hammana.

She simply captioned the video "Lebanon" with a heart and Lebanese flag emojis, posting it to her 11 million followers on Friday.

The post has been liked more than 45,000 times and Dubai radio presenter Kris Fade commented, saying: "Love love. Thanks for showing my beautiful country."

Lohan, who married Arab financier Bader Shammas earlier this month, seemingly travelled on to New York City, as she and Shammas were spotted at JFK airport this weekend, too.

She is no stranger to Lebanon, having caused a social media stir with a holiday to the country last year.

The Mean Girls star turned heads and took Twitter by storm after she was seen dining out at a pizzeria in the Levant nation last summer.

She posed for photos in the town of Hammana, after eating in Piazza1140, with then-boyfriend Shammas and friends. The former child star posed for photos with fans, prompting a social media whirlwind as other Lebanese fans tried to track her down for a picture.

The frenzy began after a video of Lohan at the restaurant in Hammana, posted to TikTok, went viral.

The news prompted a number of jokes over the timing of her trip to Lebanon, only days after the resignation of prime minister-designate Saad Hariri, some were asking jokingly if she might be the next candidate.

She also posed for a photo with Georges Chahine, the former president of Hammana Municipality.

Another post on Instagram showed her posing with several Lebanese artisans and included the caption @beirutbloomers describing the dream of uplifting Lebanese artisans "during these hard times”.

The actress, who lives in Dubai, started a podcast called The Lohdown with Lindsay Lohan earlier this year. In the first episode, during which she interviewed Bobby Berk, star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Lohan talked about her love of Middle Eastern food. In particular, dishes cooked for her by her fiance’s family, which she said are her “happy place foods”.

“I feel like my fiance, his family’s food, when his mother makes certain foods, those are my happy place foods,” she said. “They are just so authentic and comforting and exciting.”

Lohan and Shammas live in Dubai, where the Hollywood actress has resided for the past few years. "I really found that I had a private life, and I could just take time for myself," Lohan told Vogue of her decision to move to the emirate. "I decided to stay there because I really learned to appreciate what it is to go, do my work, and then leave and live a normal life."

Lindsay Lohan's style evolution in 47 pictures: shy tween to sequinned Dubai star — in pictures

  • Lindsay Lohan, in a light pink top and cardigan, attends a Los Angeles press conference in January 1999. PA
    Lindsay Lohan, in a light pink top and cardigan, attends a Los Angeles press conference in January 1999. PA
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a blue lace dress, attends 'The Parent Trap' premiere in Los Angeles on July 2, 1998. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a blue lace dress, attends 'The Parent Trap' premiere in Los Angeles on July 2, 1998. Getty Images
  • Alec Baldwin and Lindsay Lohan, in a black top and grey hoodie, attend the Baldwin Cancer Benefit in New York City on October 8, 1999. Photo: Liaison
    Alec Baldwin and Lindsay Lohan, in a black top and grey hoodie, attend the Baldwin Cancer Benefit in New York City on October 8, 1999. Photo: Liaison
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black polo neck and cream knitted cardigan, attends the 'What Women Want' premiere in New York City on December 11, 2000. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black polo neck and cream knitted cardigan, attends the 'What Women Want' premiere in New York City on December 11, 2000. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black top and camouflage trousers, arrives at HBO's special screening of 'Dinner With Friends' in New York on July 28, 2001. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black top and camouflage trousers, arrives at HBO's special screening of 'Dinner With Friends' in New York on July 28, 2001. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a pink mini dress and sheer black tights, attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2003 in New York on February 9, 2003. WireImage
    Lindsay Lohan, in a pink mini dress and sheer black tights, attends Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2003 in New York on February 9, 2003. WireImage
  • Lindsay Lohan, in jeans and a laced black top, attends the 2003 Teen Choice Awards on August 2, 2003 in Universal City, California. AFP
    Lindsay Lohan, in jeans and a laced black top, attends the 2003 Teen Choice Awards on August 2, 2003 in Universal City, California. AFP
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a lace babydoll mini dress, arrives for the world premiere of the film 'Freaky Friday' in Hollywood on August 4, 2003. Reuters
    Lindsay Lohan, in a lace babydoll mini dress, arrives for the world premiere of the film 'Freaky Friday' in Hollywood on August 4, 2003. Reuters
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black satin top, pink baseball cap and jeans, attends the 'Stuff' magazine Pre-VMA Party in New York City on August 27, 2003. FilmMagic
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black satin top, pink baseball cap and jeans, attends the 'Stuff' magazine Pre-VMA Party in New York City on August 27, 2003. FilmMagic
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a white shirt and sheer black corset, attends the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. FilmMagic
    Lindsay Lohan, in a white shirt and sheer black corset, attends the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. FilmMagic
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black dress with sheer lace detail, attends the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar party on February 29, 2004. FilmMagic
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black dress with sheer lace detail, attends the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar party on February 29, 2004. FilmMagic
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a white sequinned dress, arrives at the 2005 American Music Awards press room at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 22, 2005. EPA
    Lindsay Lohan, in a white sequinned dress, arrives at the 2005 American Music Awards press room at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 22, 2005. EPA
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black dress with silver detailing, walks the red carpet at the 2005 American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 22, 2005. EPA
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black dress with silver detailing, walks the red carpet at the 2005 American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on November 22, 2005. EPA
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a Marc Jacobs slip dress, attends the premiere of 'A Prairie Home Companion' at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival on February 12, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a Marc Jacobs slip dress, attends the premiere of 'A Prairie Home Companion' at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival on February 12, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a green pleated dress, attends the 'Bobby' photocall during the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2006. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a green pleated dress, attends the 'Bobby' photocall during the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2006. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a Grecian white gown, attends the premiere of the film 'Bobby' at the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2006 in Italy. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a Grecian white gown, attends the premiere of the film 'Bobby' at the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2006 in Italy. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in layers with a brown leather jacket, is seen at the opening of the Charlotte Ronson flagship store in Tokyo, Japan on April 13, 2007. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in layers with a brown leather jacket, is seen at the opening of the Charlotte Ronson flagship store in Tokyo, Japan on April 13, 2007. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in green Dolce & Gabbana, attends the label's event at Baoli, Port Canto during the 61st International Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2008 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in green Dolce & Gabbana, attends the label's event at Baoli, Port Canto during the 61st International Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2008 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in pink sheer Charlotte Ronson, attends the designer's spring/summer 2009 fashion show at the National Stadium, Tokyo on October 22, 2008. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in pink sheer Charlotte Ronson, attends the designer's spring/summer 2009 fashion show at the National Stadium, Tokyo on October 22, 2008. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black Temperley London dress with bow detailing, attends the grand opening of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai on November 20, 2008. Stephen Lock / The National
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black Temperley London dress with bow detailing, attends the grand opening of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai on November 20, 2008. Stephen Lock / The National
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a floral cream mini, arrives at the launch of Sevin Nyne By Lindsay Lohan at Sephora, Santa Monica on April 30, 2009. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a floral cream mini, arrives at the launch of Sevin Nyne By Lindsay Lohan at Sephora, Santa Monica on April 30, 2009. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a sequinned vest top, shorts and fedora, attends the F1 Rocks Singapore concert on September 26, 2009. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a sequinned vest top, shorts and fedora, attends the F1 Rocks Singapore concert on September 26, 2009. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a sequinned scarf and black catsuit, attends the 90 years of Vogue covers party in Paris, France on October 1, 2009. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a sequinned scarf and black catsuit, attends the 90 years of Vogue covers party in Paris, France on October 1, 2009. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in an off-the-shoulder floral Emanuel Ungaro dress, arrives for the grand opening night of the Kerzner Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco, on October 31, 2009. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in an off-the-shoulder floral Emanuel Ungaro dress, arrives for the grand opening night of the Kerzner Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco, on October 31, 2009. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in sequinned Cavalli, attends the Vogue.it Milan Fashion party on February 26, 2010 in Italy. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in sequinned Cavalli, attends the Vogue.it Milan Fashion party on February 26, 2010 in Italy. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a white sequin detail mini with Bebe platform heels, attends the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at Palm Beach, Pointe Croisette during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2010. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a white sequin detail mini with Bebe platform heels, attends the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at Palm Beach, Pointe Croisette during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2010. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic Pamella Roland jumpsuit, attends the 2010 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California on June 26, 2010. EPA
    Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic Pamella Roland jumpsuit, attends the 2010 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California on June 26, 2010. EPA
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black sequin dress, attends the Viktor & Rolf show as part during Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black sequin dress, attends the Viktor & Rolf show as part during Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black and silver gown, attends amfAR Milano on September 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black and silver gown, attends amfAR Milano on September 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in silver Philipp Plein, attends the Philipp Plein Urban Jungle spring/summer 2012 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on September 24, 2011. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in silver Philipp Plein, attends the Philipp Plein Urban Jungle spring/summer 2012 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on September 24, 2011. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a brown gown, attends the Lady Gaga Fame perfume launch at the Guggenheim Museum on September 13, 2012 in New York City. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a brown gown, attends the Lady Gaga Fame perfume launch at the Guggenheim Museum on September 13, 2012 in New York City. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic Theia dress, attends the amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on February 6, 2013. EPA
    Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic Theia dress, attends the amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on February 6, 2013. EPA
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic green mini dress, attends Gabrielle's Gala in London on May 7, 2014. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a metallic green mini dress, attends Gabrielle's Gala in London on May 7, 2014. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in Moschino, attends the Moschino show in London on June 16, 2014 . Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in Moschino, attends the Moschino show in London on June 16, 2014 . Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a white belted dress, attends Weisses Fest 2014 on July 26, 2014 in Linz, Austria. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a white belted dress, attends Weisses Fest 2014 on July 26, 2014 in Linz, Austria. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in animal print Balmain, attends the GQ Men of the Year awards at The Royal Opera House on September 2, 2014 in London. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in animal print Balmain, attends the GQ Men of the Year awards at The Royal Opera House on September 2, 2014 in London. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in an iridescent Givenchy midi, attends the 'Speed The Plow' press night at the Playhouse Theatre, London on October 2, 2014. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in an iridescent Givenchy midi, attends the 'Speed The Plow' press night at the Playhouse Theatre, London on October 2, 2014. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black belted shirt dress, attends the Women Of The Year lunch at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel on October 13, 2014 in London. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black belted shirt dress, attends the Women Of The Year lunch at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel on October 13, 2014 in London. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a net-effect dress, attends The World's First Fabulous Fund Fair in aid of The Naked Heart Foundation in London on February 24, 2015. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a net-effect dress, attends The World's First Fabulous Fund Fair in aid of The Naked Heart Foundation in London on February 24, 2015. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in head-to-tow black, attends the Gareth Pugh show during London Fashion Week on September 19, 2015. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in head-to-tow black, attends the Gareth Pugh show during London Fashion Week on September 19, 2015. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a geometric black and white dress, with Alessandro Grassini-Grimaldi and Hofit Golan at an afternoon tea hosted by Damiani on November 9, 2016 in London, England. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a geometric black and white dress, with Alessandro Grassini-Grimaldi and Hofit Golan at an afternoon tea hosted by Damiani on November 9, 2016 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black and white dress, attends the Firenze4ever 14th Edition Party on January 9, 2017 in Florence, Italy. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black and white dress, attends the Firenze4ever 14th Edition Party on January 9, 2017 in Florence, Italy. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a black, white and read A-line top and mini skirt, attends the Three Six Zero Entertainment Cannes Film Festival Celebration on May 21, 2017 in Biot, France. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a black, white and read A-line top and mini skirt, attends the Three Six Zero Entertainment Cannes Film Festival Celebration on May 21, 2017 in Biot, France. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a studded red gown, attends the Jorge Vazquez show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid on September 18, 2017 in Spain. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a studded red gown, attends the Jorge Vazquez show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid on September 18, 2017 in Spain. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in gold Saint Laurent, attends the MTV EMAs 2018 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in gold Saint Laurent, attends the MTV EMAs 2018 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4, 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a blush floral feathered dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels, attends the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2019 in Australia. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan, in a blush floral feathered dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels, attends the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2019 in Australia. Getty Images
  • Lindsay Lohan, in a khaki jumpsuit, says thank you to Dubai authorities in Downtown Dubai on April 30, 2020. Instagram / Lindsay Lohan
    Lindsay Lohan, in a khaki jumpsuit, says thank you to Dubai authorities in Downtown Dubai on April 30, 2020. Instagram / Lindsay Lohan
  • Lindsay Lohan style evolution. Getty Images
    Lindsay Lohan style evolution. Getty Images
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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

Updated: July 31, 2022, 5:55 AM