Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says Lebanon has been "hijacked" by Hizbollah and can only flourish if the political party and militia disarms.
Hizbollah was set up by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard the 1980s and has grown steadily in influence, sharing power in the Beirut government and giving crucial support to president Bashar Al Assad in Syria's civil war.
Its growing strength has alarmed Saudi Arabia and prompted - at least in part - the resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri last month, though he has since decided to remain in his post.
"Lebanon will only survive or prosper if you disarm Hezbollah," Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir told a conference in Italy on Friday. "As long as you have an armed militia, you will not have peace in Lebanon."
Mr Al Jubeir said the situation in Lebanon was "tragic" and accused Iran of fomenting unrest across the Middle East.
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Read more:
Lebanon's Hariri says Assad regime wants him killed
British diplomat meets Hariri to show UK support for Lebanese Army
Editorial: Lebanon is central to the Iranian regime’s effort to destabilise the Middle East
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"Since 1979, the Iranians have literally got away with murder in our region, and this has to stop," he said.
Riyadh ally Mr Hariri announced his resignation last month while in Saudi Arabia, triggering a political crisis in Lebanon that only calmed when he eventually returned to Beirut more than two weeks later.
Saudi Arabia has denied coercing Mr Hariri to quit.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia fears that Hizbollah and Iran are trying to take control of its neighbour Yemen, by supporting the Houthi rebels against pro-government forces backed by a Riyadh-led military coalition.
Hizbollah denies fighting in Yemen, sending weapons to the Houthis, or firing rockets at Saudi Arabia from Yemeni territory. But on Friday Mr Al Jubeir rejected this and said his country would not back down in the conflict.
"The Houthis cannot be allowed to take over a country," he said.
Mr Al Jubeir said his country only had bad relations with two nations, Iran and North Korea, and that Riyadh did not have relations with Israel because it was waiting for a Palestinian peace deal.
He said everyone knew what a solution would look like to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
"It is not rocket science," he said, adding that he was waiting for the United States to put forward a new proposal.
One of the most intractable problems facing negotiators is the spread of Jewish settlements across occupied territory that the Palestinians want for a future state.
Mr Al Jubeir said he expected an eventual deal would set the borders of a Palestinian state on the lines prevailing before the 1967 war, when Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
However, he said adjustments could be made for settlers: "Seventy per cent of the settlers who are on the (1967) Green Line remain in Israel, and the other 30 per cent - you offer them compensation and work out housing, and they can move to Israel."
Company%20Profile
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine