BEIRUT // The influential speaker of Lebanon’s parliament has cast doubt on whether the reconciliation of the country’s rival Christian leaders will help the country install a new president after nearly two years with the post empty.
In a surprise move on Monday, Christian politician Samir Geagea declared support for longtime rival Michel Aoun, 80, for presidency, edging him closer to the position.
Mr Aoun is part of the March 8 alliance dominated by the Iranian-backed Shiite group Hizbollah. Mr Geagea is part of the March 14 alliance led by Sunni politician Saad Al Hariri, who is in turn backed by Saudi Arabia.
"The rivalry between the two was the toughest and hardest [in the country] hence what happened is an advanced step for the Lebanese and a positive thing on the Christian front in particular but this step is not enough presidentially," speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying in Assafir newspaper on Wednesday.
Mr Berri, a powerful Shiite politician, is also part of the March 8 alliance, and has said he will not call parliament to elect a president unless all the main sectarian parties attend.
That means Mr Aoun must win Sunni backing in addition to the strong Shiite support he enjoys from Hizbollah.
Assafir newspaper said Mr Berri would call on his own grouping, the Amal Movement, to discus its position when "he has enough elements to take the appropriate decision".
Lebanon has been without a president for nearly two years. The parliament, which elects the president, has convened for at least 30 times without being able to agree on a candidate.
Mr Berri had earlier called for a session to elect a president on February 8.
An initiative by Sunni leader Mr Al Hariri to nominate another Christian leader Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency has also thrown another possibility into the mix.
* Reuters
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You Were Never Really Here
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Starring: Joaquim Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia