Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday that he would shoulder his responsibility in designating a prime minister to form a new government that must enact reforms to help the country out of the financial crisis.
In a televised speech, Mr Aoun blamed other officials for blocking reforms, including a forensic audit of the central bank and an overhaul of the power sector, but stopped short of naming anyone. He pledged to confront anyone who seeks to block reform though his party, the Free Patriotic Movement, which has faced similar accusations of obstructionism from other political factions.
“Where are all the reforms? Where are all the clauses that were presented to the heads of [parliamentary] blocs and parties [though] nothing was implemented?" he said.
"The silence of any official, and lack of co-operation in the forensic audit [of the central bank], proves he is a partner in corruption and waste," he added.
Foreign donors have made it clear there will be no aid unless the heavily indebted state launches steps to tackle entrenched waste and graft.
Mr Aoun said that he understood the “pain and resentment” of the Lebanese but blamed his predecessors for the country’s year-long economic crisis that has pushed over half the population into poverty.
“The truth is that I must remind you that some of those who ruled Lebanon for decades (…) raised resounding slogans that remained without any content and were like promises meant to anesthetise the Lebanese people” he said, seemingly referring to former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s political party, the Future Movement.
Mr Hariri and his later father Rafic served as Prime Minister for nearly 14 years in total from the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.
Mr Hariri resigned on October 29, 2019, after nearly two weeks of unprecedented nation-wide protests caused by the country's economic crisis.
Mr Hariri is the only candidate for the premiership and is expected to be chosen by parliamentary blocs during binding consultations on Thursday.
Local media reported that Mr Aoun had initially delayed the consultations last week because of the refusal of Lebanon's main Christian parties, including the FPM, to endorse Mr Hariri. According to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing agreement, the President is Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister Sunni Muslim and the Parliament Speaker Shiite Muslim.
Lebanon has been without a government since August 11, when Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned in the wake of a massive explosion at Beirut port that killed 202 people.
Nominated on August 31, Prime Minister designate Mustafa Adib stepped down nearly one month ago because of political infighting.
In his speech, Mr Aoun attacked “officials and politicians” who “secured their personal interest” and rooted corruption in Lebanon’s “authorities, institutions and administrations”.
Mr Aoun's six-year mandate will end in 2022. The FPM leads the largest parliamentary bloc, and with six ministers, it also holds the biggest share in the caretaker cabinet that was formed late January. Billed as an "independent" government of technocrats, the cabinet, which had the backing of traditional parties, failed to garner international support to address the country's deepening economic crisis.
Mr Aoun asked Lebanese MPs to choose a new Prime Minister with a “national conscience and sense of responsibility” towards their country. Addressing lawmakers, Mr Aoun said: “my hope is that you will think carefully (…) because the current deteriorating situation cannot continue anymore.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
