‘Up to $6,000 in daily expenses': Tourism sector counting on Gulf nationals this summer
"I visited Lebanon a very long time ago! I am happy to be among the first to finally return," exclaimed an Emirati at the microphone for An-Nahar upon arriving at the Rafik Hariri International Airport (RHIA) on Wednesday.Welcomed with flowers and pastries, as well as by the media and Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos, travelers took part in the first three flights to Beirut from Emirates since the lifting on May 1 of the travel ban to Lebanon imposed in 2021 by Abu Dhabi on its nationals, the result of President Joseph Aoun's official visit to the United Arab Emirates on April 30. Read more Lebanon's minimum wage to be potentially raised to LL28 million in first phase Before summer, the return of Emiratis could precede other Gulf nationals, including Saudis, leaving tourism professionals hopeful for a...
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Watch: Emirati Delegation Visits Port, Declares Support for Lebanon
Lebanon's Minister of Public Works Fayez Rasamni stated during a tour with an Emirati delegation at the Port of Beirut that "we have many projects as a government and are exploring the development of ports and capabilities, and Lebanon is home to a wealth of talent, creativity, and innovation." He added, "The UAE is like our second home, we are learning from them, and all we need now is to restore trust in Lebanon." For his part, the Emirati envoy affirmed the UAE's continued support for Lebanon, saying, "We are keen to provide Lebanon with everything it wishes from the United Arab Emirates." Watch the attached video for the full statement.
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Shehadeh meets Emirati delegation, tours Beirut Digital City
Minister of Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh received an Emirati delegation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in his office at the Ministry of Technology in Beirut Digital District. Minister Shehadi discussed with the Emirati delegation ways of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of strategy and government and human capacity-building. The Minister and the delegation also explored ways to benefit from the UAE's experience in digital transformation, enhance government innovation, and build a flexible institutional environment based on transparency and efficiency, which will contribute to building a better future for Lebanon, transforming its economy into a competitive knowledge economy, and creating an environment conducive to investment. At the end of the visit, Minister Shehadi and the visiting Emirati delegation toured Beirut Digital District, accompanied by Executive Director Mohammed Rabah, where they were briefed on the services offered by this pioneering technology city, particularly Ecole 42, which trains Lebanese youth in digital skills and prepares them for the job market. Shehadi then headed to the Grand Serail, where he participated in sessions and workshops focused on enhancing government advancement and knowledge exchange, with the aim of creating a qualitative shift in several vital sectors that directly affect citizens. At the conclusion of the workshop, Minister Shehadi thanked the United Arab Emirates and the accompanying delegation for their constructive cooperation and support to Lebanon, and expressed his hope for "strengthening this partnership and cooperation in the near future." Shehadeh also commended President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's support for the establishment of a ministry specializing in technology and artificial intelligence, stressing that "this ministry will see the light soon, whose agenda will focus on supporting Lebanese youth, strengthening the economy, and creating an environment conducive to companies investing in Lebanon."
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UAE delegation inspects Beirut's port and airport
by Naharnet Newsdesk 28 May 2025, 11:49 An Emirati official said Wednesday that 'UAE's president is keen on granting Lebanon everything it wishes for,' during a visit by a UAE delegation to the Port of Beirut. 'The Lebanese citizen wants Lebanon to return to its strategic role and the president of the UAE is keen on granting Lebanon everything it wishes for,' the head of the delegation, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange Abdullah Nasser Lootah, said. The delegation also visited the Rafik Hariri International Airport and was accompanied by Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny on both visits. The United Arab Emirates had in early May lifted a ban on its citizens traveling to Lebanon that was imposed during a diplomatic row in 2021. The decision was announced a day after President Joseph Aoun met with his UAE counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. "The two sides agreed to allow citizens to travel after taking necessary measures to facilitate movement between the two countries and putting in place appropriate mechanisms," a statement said. In 2021, the UAE imposed a travel ban on its citizens and withdrew diplomats from Beirut in solidarity with Saudi Arabia after a Lebanese minister criticized the Riyadh-led military intervention in Yemen. Lebanese citizens were not banned from traveling to the UAE, although some experienced difficulties obtaining visas. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, which supports infrastructure projects in developing countries, will send a delegation to Lebanon to study potential joint projects, the statement said. Ties between Beirut and Abu Dhabi soured in the past decade over Hezbollah's influence on Lebanon. But with the group weakened by its recent war with Israel, the UAE is the latest Gulf country to renew its interest in Lebanon. In March, Saudi Arabia said it would review "obstacles" to resuming Lebanese imports and ending a ban on its nationals visiting Lebanon. That announcement came after Aoun met Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on his first trip abroad since taking office in January. Aoun, the preferred candidate of both Riyadh and Washington, was elected after the weakening of Hezbollah and the overthrow of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria shifted the balance of power in Lebanon.
