Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Lebanon, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, arrived in Beirut on Monday with a delegation, as discussions between the two countries to renew economic relations continue.
The Saudi officials will discuss resuming Lebanese exports to the kingdom and boosting trade ties between the countries, a political source told The National.
The source said it was yet to be established whether the delegation was planning to study obstacles to lifting the ban or if a formal decision on the resumption of exports would be announced.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam later posted on social media that the delegation had arrived to discuss procedures for resuming Lebanese exports.
"I reiterated to the esteemed delegation our pledge that Lebanon will not be used as a platform to destabilise the security of its Arab brothers or as a conduit for smuggling drugs or any other contraband," Mr Nawaf said.
Saudi Arabia banned the import of Lebanese agricultural produce in April 2021 after the discovery of millions of Captagon pills hidden in a shipment of pomegranates.
The ban was expanded to include all imports from Lebanon later that year amid a diplomatic rift caused by a Lebanese minister's remarks about the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
The ban dealt a blow to Lebanon’s economy, which relies heavily on the Saudi market, causing it heavy losses at a time when it was going through one of the worst economic crises in the modern world.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states were major supporters of Lebanon but became frustrated by the growing influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah over the country. The kingdom's re-engagement marks a major shift after years of diplomatic distance.
The Saudi delegation’s visit came on the eve of the two-day Beirut One conference that brings together Lebanon’s international partners, its diaspora and the private sector to secure investments and support for the country.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, who is in Beirut to attend the conference, held a meeting with Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh on Monday.
Mr Salameh thanked her for accepting Lebanon’s invitation to attend the conference, while Ms Al Kaabi noted an invitation was not necessary because “Lebanon is my second home”. The UAE ambassador to Lebanon, Fahad Salem Al Kaabi, who took up his post in September, and the Lebanese ambassador to the UAE, Tarek Mneimneh, were also present at the meeting, the National News Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia, through Prince Yazid, has reasserted itself in Lebanon’s political affairs following Hezbollah's losses in a war with Israel last year, expressing renewed regional interest in stabilising the country’s institutions, advising officials to adhere to international expectations and warning of the consequences of a lack of action.
Riyadh supports a road map drawn up by the US, under which Hezbollah would disarm. The group has rejected the idea, saying it will not disarm until Israeli troops withdraw from five points of Lebanese territory that they occupy.
The implementation of a Lebanese army plan to rid Hezbollah of its weapons has been slow because of fears that the disarmament campaign could lead to civil strife.
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
About%20My%20Father
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 2 Bournemouth 1
United: Sharp (45 2'), Lundstram (84')
Bournemouth: C Wilson (13')
Man of the Match: Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
