UAE Foreign Minister Meets Assad, Most Senior Emirati Visit to Syria Since War Began

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Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with United Arab Emirates Foreign minister, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister

BEIRUT (Reuters) -The United Arab Emirates foreign minister met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday, a sign of improving ties between Assad and a U.S.-allied Arab state that once supported rebels trying to overthrow him. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed is the most senior Emirati dignitary to visit Syria in the decade since the eruption of a civil war in which several Arab states backed mainly Sunni Muslim insurgents against Assad. Washington, which opposes efforts to normalise ties with Assad or rehabilitate him until progress is made towards a political solution to the conflict, said it was concerned about the move by its ally the UAE.

The foreign minister led a delegation of senior Emirati officials that discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in a meeting with Syrian counterparts, a statement by the Syrian presidency said. The participants discussed exploring "new horizons for this cooperation, especially in vital sectors in order to strengthen investment partnerships in these sectors”, the statement said. Sheikh Abdullah underlined in his meeting with Assad "UAE's keenness on the security, stability and unity of Syria," UAE's state news agency WAM said. He also stressed the "UAE's support for all efforts made to end the Syrian crisis, consolidate stability in the country, and meet the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people," WAM reported.

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Hezbollah supporters in 'intimidation campaign' against Lebanese comedian

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by english.alaraby.co.uk --  -- Lebanese comedian Hussein Kaouk has fallen prey to an online harassment campaign on Saturday and Sunday, led by Hezbollah-affiliated media outlets. In response, the comedian's fans posted hundreds of his videos on Twitter, promoting his work under the Arabic hashtag "Hussein Kaouk". The social media storm against Kaouk picked up over the weekend after Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al Akhbar published an article criticising Kaouk and other Lebanese satirists on Friday. "Satirical programming uses political discourse wrapped in a veil of humour to implement a clear agenda," wrote Al-Akhdar, before going through a list of "dangerous" satirical shows. The article concluded by analysing one of Kaouk's video published on the TV channel Al Jadeed as an example of the "demonisation of the environment of the Resistance" - referring to Hezbollah as the force of resistance against Israel.

The video in question featured Kaouk as a street protester answering questions from a journalist. On questions about his religious sect, Kaouk answered "Shia" and joked that while Lebanese from all sects take part in demonstrations, Shias are being paid to take to the streets – referring to protests staged by Hezbollah. Criticism of the sketch was quickly picked up on social media, where Hezbollah supporters accused Kaouk of "taking part in a political agenda" under the guise of humour. An intimidation campaign ensued, with some social media users violently calling on people to "drag him in the street by the hair". Others took Kaouk's side and launched a counter-campaign in his defence, massively promoting his work. The 28-years old comedian, who is himself Shia, became known on social media for his satirical videos and stand-up comedy shows that depict Lebanese society, with a focus on Shia circles.

Lebanese bank workers let go as currency crash bites

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by Najia Houssari arabnews.com -- BEIRUT: Lebanese banks are quietly letting employees go as they seek to close branches and reduce operational costs amid the collapse of the local currency, the Lebanese pound. It comes after the country’s central bank tightened regulations against commercial banks. While some are downsizing domestically, other banks are opting to sell assets abroad. The number of branches estimated to have closed ranges between 300 and 400 out of a total 1,100. Employees and contractors have been the first to feel the effects of the decisions. George Al-Hajj, president of the Federation of Syndicates of Bank Employees, said that 2021 has been “very hard” for bank employees in Lebanon, adding: “Although no statistics have been conducted to show the exact number of laid-off employees, their number does not exceed 4,500.” But more bank workers are expected to be dismissed in the near future. “We are in the middle of the storm, and the crisis will persist until Lebanon reaches an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on the restructuring process of the banking sector,” said Al-Hajj.

The number of employees of the banking sector in 2018 was estimated to be about 26,000, working for 61 banks. Since 2019, the sector has lost more than 17 percent of its workforce. Dr. Jassem Ajaka, an economic and strategic expert, warned that “up to 50 percent of bank employees will be laid off.” He told Arab News: “After the deterioration of the economic situation and the suspension of banking activities due to the decision to block financial transfers, the banking sector is no longer making profits. “Banks are not charities, and the reality is hard for everyone.” “The banking sector’s employees constitute a very important share of the middle class in Lebanon and eradicating this group from the economy will further harm Lebanese society.” Al-Hajj said: “In 2019, the federation saw this crisis coming and urged banks seeking to fire employees to inform the Ministry of Labor of their intentions. Some banks did, but others did not, and thus we do not know the exact number of laid-off employees.” He added: “The banks’ excuses for mass lay-offs were many: Sometimes it was because the bank was applying an early retirement system, sometimes it was a resignation at a request from the administration, and other times it was the termination of contracts due to economic reasons.”

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Analysis -- Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi survives drone attack on his home

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by politico.com -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has said he escaped unhurt after a drone attack on his home inside Baghdad's high-security Green Zone. A drone laden with explosives struck the building, injuring six of his bodyguards in an apparent assassination attempt, officials said. Mr Kadhimi called for "calm and restraint from everyone". The attack, which comes after violent unrest over recent election results, was condemned by both the US and Iran. Security sources say three drones were used in the attack, launched from near Republic Bridge on the River Tigris, but two were shot down. No-one has said they carried out the attack, in an area of the city housing many government buildings and foreign embassies.

Iraq held elections less than a month ago, and now it's in the long and awkward process of trying to form a governing coalition. The turnout was a record low - just 41% - and that lack of engagement shows that many Iraqis don't believe any real change lies ahead. Pro-Iranian parties did worse than they'd hoped for, losing many of their seats. Their supporters have been protesting against the results ever since, holding demonstrations outside Baghdad's secure Green Zone and calling for votes to be manually recounted. The Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr claimed victory, as his party gained the most seats. He's pushing for a government free from foreign interference - and crucially that means from Iran as well as the West. He wants to end Tehran's influence over Iraq's internal affairs. These political faultlines mean tensions are high, and this attempt on Prime Minister al-Kadhimi's life could turn out to be a dangerous escalation with far-reaching repercussions. The drone attack was widely criticised: Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose party was the biggest winner in the election, called it a terrorist act against the country's stability that aimed to "return Iraq to a state of chaos to be controlled by non-state forces" President Barham Saleh said it was a heinous crime against Iraq, adding in a tweet: "We cannot accept that Iraq will be dragged into chaos and a coup against its constitutional system" The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, accused unnamed "foreign think tanks" of "creating and supporting terrorist and occupying forces" in Iraq that had "brought nothing but insecurity, discord and instability" UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Mr Kadhimi in a phone call that he strongly condemned the attack US President Joe Biden said the perpetrators of the attack must be held accountable and denounced "in the strongest terms those using violence to undermine Iraq" UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Iraqis "to reject all violence and any attempts to destabilise Iraq"

Some of the leaders of the most powerful militia factions loyal to Iran openly blamed al-Kadhimi for Friday’s clashes and the protester’s death. “The blood of martyrs is to hold you accountable,” said Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, addressing al-Kadhimi in recorded comments to supporters. “The protesters only had one demand against fraud in elections. Responding (with live fire) means you are the first responsible for this fraud.” A funeral for the protester Saturday was attended by leaders of the mostly Shiite Iran-backed factions who together are known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic. Al-Khazali, in a statement Sunday, suggested the militias were being framed, calling for an investigation and for the punishment of the perpetrators. Other PMF leaders also condemned the attack, blaming it on “third parties” seeking to incite strife.

Elections of Beirut Bar Association to be postponed

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The General Assembly of Beirut Bar Association held a meeting on Sunday at the request of the bar’s president Melhem Khalaf to implement the agenda in order to elect a new president and members of the Bar Council. However, the session was postponed for loss of quorum until November 21, pursuant to article 38 of the Law regulating the legal profession. Khalaf then emphasized the necessity of holding these elections since they reflect and devote the principle of democracy, which is very important given the country's current situation.

Elections of Beirut Bar Association to be postponed

Details

The General Assembly of Beirut Bar Association held a meeting on Sunday at the request of the bar’s president Melhem Khalaf to implement the agenda in order to elect a new president and members of the Bar Council. However, the session was postponed for loss of quorum until November 21, pursuant to article 38 of the Law regulating the legal profession. Khalaf then emphasized the necessity of holding these elections since they reflect and devote the principle of democracy, which is very important given the country's current situation.