French President Emmanuel Macron has laid out priorities for Lebanon as it recovers from the Beirut port blast and promised hundreds of millions of euros in aid if leaders could introduce reforms.
Mr Macron said the key areas where France would help Lebanon to recover from the August 4 blast, which killed 190 people, were health, food, education and housing.
He said the aid was not a blank cheque and that Lebanese politicians had to agree to reform and commit to transparency.
In Beirut on Tuesday night. Mr Macron said if promises were not met by the end of October, consequences could include sanctions co-ordinated with the EU.
“We will not turn our eyes away from supporting the Lebanese people,” he said.
Mr Macron said France had sent 700 soldiers and 140 technical experts to the blast site and now they were looking at rebuilding.
“We have four priorities," Mr Macron said. "Our support to primary health centres will be reinforced, as well as our support to Rafik Hariri Hospital."
He said France would give €700 million (Dh3.06 billion/$833.9m) to Hariri Hospital, which looks after Covid-19 patients.
“In parallel, help will be distributed to private hospitals as well. After health there is food, ” Mr Macron said.
“The third priority is education. Children must absolutely go back to school and students go back to university. The future of the country is at stake.
“A lot of children I met today told me they will not go back to school. I think we cannot accept this as a fatality. We will mobilise €700m for school reconstruction.
“For housing we must not give up. The 300,000 people who lost their houses live with close friends and family.
“But their houses must be rebuilt transparently and with proper security. I am also thinking of the port. This is part of the essential mission we looked at.”
Mr Macron said it was crucial that any investigations took place with international experts.
He said Lebanon’s political parties promised a new government would be formed in 15 days.
Mr Macron said he would ensure that the international community supported the country if reforms were in place.
He was in Lebanon on Tuesday hoping to spur politicians into reforming their failing government with the prospect of international funding to rescue the economy.
Talking of France's historic ties with Lebanon, Mr Macron said Paris would host another international conference in October to rally support for Lebanon, two years after a similar conference had little impact.
It was his second trip in a month to the Lebanese capital.
Mr Macron visited the city a day after the Beirut port blast.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
RACE CARD
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
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
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
