LONDON // The UN is to attempt to broker a peaceful solution to the conflict in Libya, it was announced last night.
As the US and Britain made it clear that military attacks on the Qaddafi regime would continue, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said he was sending an envoy back to Libya in a bid to secure a peaceful settlement in talks with both sides.
Meanwhile on the ground in Libya yesterday tanks and rockets pushed back rebels from near Col Qaddafi's home town of Sirte, a key government stronghold on the road to the Tripoli. After the rebels' push westward restored all the territory they lost over the past week, Col Qaddafi's troops managed to drive them out of Bin Jawwad, a hamlet east of Sirte.
Yeserday's diplomatic moves came at a special conference in London on Libya's future, attended by Arab League, African Union, UN, EU and Nato leaders and the foreign ministers from more than 30 nations, including the UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, which, like the UAE, is contributing fighter planes to enforce the Libyan no-fly zone, said after the conference that he regretted that more Arab nations had not contributed to the military effort.
He said the international military operations had encouraged ordinary Libyans to believe they were "about to get rid of that murderous regime and be able to achieve a better future and have freedom".
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, made it clear last night that Libya's future would not involve Col Qaddafi.
"All of us have to continue to increase the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Qaddafi regime," she said. "This includes a united front of political and diplomatic pressure that makes clear to Qaddafi that he must go, that sends a strong message of accountability and that sharpens the choice for those around him.
"It includes financial pressure, through the vigorous enforcement of sanctions."
Mrs Clinton also suggested that it would be legal to arm the rebels. "It is our interpretation that (UN Security Council resolution) 1973 amended or overrode the absolute prohibition on arms to anyone in Libya, so that there could be a legitimate transfer of arms if a country should choose to do that," she told reporters.
William Hague, the UK foreign secretary, said after the conference that Col Qaddafi and his regime had "completely lost legitimacy and will be held accountable for their actions".
He called the conference "a significant milestone" in allowing the Libyan people to determine their own future.
Mr Hague told a press conference at the Foreign Office: "We have said throughout that we want the Libyan people to be in the lead in determining their future and today was a significant milestone in that process."
The British prime minister, David Cameron, opening the conference yesterday afternoon, urged the international community to deliver a "new beginning" for the Libyan people with the creation of the contact group to provide sustained political support for the country as it undergoes change.
"We are all here united in one purpose and that is to help the Libyan people in their hour of need," he said
"Today I believe should be about a new beginning for Libya, a future in which the people of Libya can determine their own destiny, free from violence and
oppression."
It was a message echoed by Mrs Clinton, who said that air strikes would continue against the Qaddafi regime until it stopped attacking civilians and allowed in humanitarian aid.
She also called for a "united front of diplomatic and political pressure" to force Col Qaddafi to relinquish power after more than 40 years.
"All of us must continue to increase the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Qaddafi regime through other means as well," Mrs Clinton said.
"This includes a unified front of political and diplomatic pressure that makes clear to Gaddafi that he must go."
Mr Ban welcomed the plan for a contact group. "I know that everybody is very much anxious and passionate to help the Libyan people and to address this crisis," he told the conference.
"But we need to have very close co-ordination and I am going to lead this co-ordination, if you agree."
He said that years of dictatorial rule meant the Libyan people would need significant help in achieving a smooth transition to democracy.
Mr Ban added that there were "deeply-disturbing reports about the lack of protection of civilians, including migrant workers, as well as abuses of human rights by the parties to the conflict".
Although representatives of the Libyan opposition were not invited to the conference, a delegation from the Interim National Council (INC) was in London and met both Mrs Clinton and Mr Cameron, as well as French and German foreign ministers.
Led by special envoy Mahmoud Jabril, the INC issued a statement in which it set out its vision for the democratic Libya after the defeat of the "illegal" Qaddafi regime. The aim of the INC, it said, was to create a "civil society that recognises intellectual and political pluralism and allows for the peaceful transition of power through legal institutions and ballot boxes; in accordance with a national constitution crafted by the people and endorsed in a referendum".
It envisaged that every adult citizen would have the right to vote in "free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections as well as the right to run for office".
The statement added that the state would "respect the sanctity of religious doctrine and condemn intolerance, extremism and violence [and] denounce violence, terrorism, intolerance and cultural isolation".
dsapsted@thenational.ae
Haemoglobin disorders explained
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Honeymoonish
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Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
RESULTS
2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m
Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer)
3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m
Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard
4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 T) 1,000m
Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
