Latest news with #SaadHariri
LBCI
05-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's Grand Mufti visits Damascus in symbolic shift: Inside Derian's Syria meetings
Report by Abdullah Malaeb, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian stood atop Mount Qasioun, gazing over the Syrian capital—a city he had not entered before the fall of the Assad regime. His presence marked what many observers are calling a symbolic turning point in Lebanese-Syrian relations. "We are strong and we are staying," Derian declared from the mountain, as he prepared to descend into Damascus for a tightly choreographed visit, which included high-level meetings and religious ceremonies. Syrian officials, including the country's Minister of Religious Endowments and Damascus' own Mufti, welcomed Derian warmly, though their first meeting took place at the presidential palace rather than in a religious setting. Speaking from the grand Umayyad Mosque, Derian emphasized historic ties between Lebanon and Syria, saying, "The era of oppression has ended, thanks to Syria's leadership, especially President Ahmed al-Sharaa." His remarks reflected a nuanced position, shaped by his longstanding affiliation with the moderate Sunni public associated with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Derian underscored the need for both religious and legal balance, calling for governance rooted not only in Islamic Sharia but also in civil law. "Let us be moderate, as the light of moderation, Islam, and Arab unity shines from this mosque," he told an audience of Syrian religious scholars, adding, "Just as we pray here in the Umayyad Mosque, may we one day pray together in Jerusalem." The Mufti's visit also included private talks at Syria's Ministry of Religious Endowments, where discussions focused on bilateral cooperation over religious endowment properties, a topic of longstanding economic and political importance, according to LBCI's sources. However, the broader geopolitical backdrop was impossible to ignore. The meeting between Derian and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was delayed due to al-Sharaa's prior engagement with the British Foreign Secretary. Behind closed doors, the two leaders reportedly touched on a controversial Israeli proposal suggesting that Syria could take control of Lebanon's Tripoli region and parts of the Bekaa Valley in exchange for relinquishing claims over the occupied Golan Heights and territories recently seized by Israel.
Arabian Business
04-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Former Lebanese PM Saad Hariri registers SPV company at ADGM
Saad Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister and businessman, is launching an investment firm in Abu Dhabi, Bloomberg has reported. The 55-year-old, who served as Prime Minister of Lebanon for two terms, has registered his special purpose vehicle company, Genesis SPV Ltd., at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) on 23 May. Hariri is listed as the sole shareholder of the company, according to the financial free zone's filings. Bloomberg added that the plan, which is in the early stages, is for Genesis to invest across the global technology sector, prioritising bets on artificial intelligence. In the ADGM filing, the company said about its business activities: 'Special Purpose Vehicle – holding ownership of equity and non-equity assets (not permitted to register branches – permitted to incorporate wholly or partially owned subsidiaries outside of ADGM).
Bloomberg
03-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Ex-Lebanese PM Sets Up Abu Dhabi Investment Firm Targeting AI
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri is launching an investment firm in Abu Dhabi, deepening his ties to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The entity, Genesis SPV Ltd., was registered in ADGM late last month with Hariri as its sole listed shareholder, according to the financial free zone's filings.
LBCI
12-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Beirut's municipal race intensifies: Elections stir debate over power, tradition, and politics
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Beirut, Lebanon's smallest electoral district by geography, holds substantial political weight, with 515,000 eligible voters. Of these, 66% are Muslim, 33% Christian, and roughly one percent belongs to the Jewish community. The city's municipal council consists of 24 members. Although the municipal electoral law does not mandate sectarian representation, tradition has long dictated an even split between Muslim and Christian council members. This custom was historically safeguarded by the Future Movement, led by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, whose campaign slogan "Zay ma hiye"—Keep it as it is—reinforced the commitment to parity. However, with the Future Movement stepping back from involvement in this year's municipal race, ensuring sectarian balance has become a greater challenge. While various Christian and Muslim political actors publicly affirm their commitment to preserving parity, tensions persist. Some Muslim figures in the capital are tying their support for this balance to a reduction in the authority of Beirut's Orthodox Christian governor, particularly in municipal decision-making. They call for more autonomy for the council to implement its resolutions without gubernatorial interference. As Beirut's election landscape takes shape, it appears likely that one major electoral list will bring together a coalition of Christian and Muslim parties to preserve parity. A second list, backed by Change MPs, will campaign under the banner "Beirut Madinati Coalition 2025." A third, independent list is being formed by Rola Al-Ajouz, a former municipal council member. In addition to the council elections, the role of Beirut's 107 mukhtars—neighborhood notables elected across the city's 12 districts—remains critical. While some are running independently, others are forming regional alliances to increase their chances and often seek political backing. These mukhtars play a key role as electoral mobilizers in the capital. While the Future Movement is not fielding its own candidates for the municipal council, it has reportedly collaborated with the Al-Ahbash group on mukhtar lists. Meanwhile, the Amal Movement and Hezbollah have agreed on their mukhtar candidates in Shiite-majority areas. Competition is unfolding among various coalitions and independents in districts with Christian majorities.
L'Orient-Le Jour
09-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Municipal elections: Races to follow in North Lebanon
A week after municipal elections in Mount Lebanon, voters in the North and Akkar governorates are set to elect their local councils on Sunday, May 11. More than 600,000 registered voters across the districts of Tripoli, Minyeh-Dinnieh, Bsharri, Batroun, Koura, Zgharta and Akkar are called to the most areas, the competition is driven by family ties or strictly local considerations. But politics often seeps in — especially amid rising polarization over Hezbollah and its weapons. The prolonged absence of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Future Movement has further complicated the picture, leaving many Sunni-majority areas in the North without a clear political center of are some of the main races to watch. Read more Municipal elections in Mount Lebanon: Key takeaways from the day An uncertain outcome in...
