Latest news with #EliasBouSaab
LBCI
20-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Elias Bou Saab, French Ambassador discuss reform laws and upcoming donor conference
Lebanon's Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab met on Tuesday morning with French Ambassador Hervé Magro and political advisor Romain Calvary at his office in Parliament. The discussions focused on the work of the Lebanese Parliament, including the reform laws that have been passed and those currently under review. The meeting also addressed the steps required from the Lebanese government in preparation for the donor conference scheduled to be held in France in the coming months.
Emirates 24/7
14-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Mansoor bin Mohammed honours graduates at 28th commencement ceremony of AUD
- Mansoor bin Mohammed honours graduates at 28th commencement ceremony of the American University in Dubai - 375 graduates representing 52 nationalities from across AUD's 6 academic schools receive their degrees His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of UAE National Olympic Committee, today attended the 28th commencement ceremony of the American University in Dubai (AUD), held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, presenting the graduating Class of 2025 their degrees. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor honoured 375 graduates representing 52 nationalities from across AUD's six academic schools. Amid the celebration of the university's academic success and its growing reputation as a regional and international hub for excellence in higher education, it is notable that 25% of the students are Emirati nationals. Addressing the gathering, His Excellency Elias Bou Saab, Executive Vice President of AUD, praised the university's lasting impact in nurturing the next generation of changemakers and regional leaders. HE Bou Saab said: 'To the graduating class of 2025 – congratulations! You have persevered through a rapidly changing world, risen to every challenge, and done so with grace and grit. What makes this class especially close to our hearts is that among you are many graduates from our very own AUD staff family. So, class of 2025, take this moment in. You've earned it. You carry with you all the lessons, the late nights, the friendships, the failures, and the accomplishments. The world needs your energy, your ideas, your heart, your empathy and most importantly your humanity, now more than ever.' He added: 'At AUD, we've always been future oriented – not only keeping up with the pace of change but shaping it. We are always looking forward, supporting the bold vision of the UAE's leaders, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of The UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who are committed to innovation, progress, and the well-being of future generations. It is because of this commitment that AUD is launching pioneering academic programmes that are one of a kind in the region: an interdisciplinary programme that brings Artificial Intelligence and Business together supporting the extended need for Al across all industries from a technical but also application perspective.' His Excellency also said: 'AUD have also launched a cutting-edge Game Design and Development program in order to support the anticipated growth in the UAE gaming infrastructure through preparing future generations of gaming experts and by so providing the needed talent from within the UAE. And in addition to those two programs and in collaboration with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, we are also proud to be developing a School of Medicine that supports the UAE's health vision and infrastructure. All these initiatives are a leap forward that aims at supporting the UAE and global vision in AI, innovation, and healthcare through building knowledge economies and healthy societies.' Keynote address The keynote address was delivered by Her Excellency Dr. Mariam Matar, Founder and Chairperson of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association. Her speech inspired graduates with reflections on purpose, resilience, and the importance of meaningful social contribution. She said: 'Truly this is one of those rare, beautiful moments where past efforts meet future promises. I look at all of you here today, our graduates, and I see not just graduates but hope in motion. As new graduates, please remember your roots and your culture and try to prepare yourself for all the challenges in life. One of the most beautiful truths about the United Arab Emirates is that our progress has never been a solo effort. Emiratis and non-Emiratis, hand in hand, heart to heart, have built this country together.' The ceremony attracted more than 3,000 guests, including members of the AUD Governing Board, university leadership, dignitaries, faculty, families, and friends. Valedictorian Maya Aref Maklad, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, delivered a heartfelt address acknowledging the role of the entire AUD community; faculty, staff, administrators, security, and custodians for fostering a nurturing environment that allowed students to thrive both in terms of their identity and ambition. Unwavering support acknowledged She said: 'Today, we celebrate a momentous occasion filled with emotions of happiness, gratitude, and nervousness. Happiness for finally completing the degrees that we poured our hearts and souls into. Gratitude for the unwavering support we have received from those around us. And nervousness for reaching the end of our journey, with a crossroad at its end. A crossroad, where if you looked back, you would see the four wonderful years spent here at AUD filled with comforting memories, and if you looked forward, you would see an uncertain and anxiety-filled future. Believe it or not, we are more life-ready than we think.' In his presidential remarks, Dr. Kyle Long, President of AUD, congratulated the Class of 2025 and emphasised the university's evolving academic landscape and mission to shape lifelong learners: 'You arrived with basic knowledge of Microsoft Word or Google Docs; you leave an expert in sophisticated software like MATLAB, Rhino, or Tableau. You arrived with an interest in helping people; you leave with actionable plans for a sustainable and culturally responsive refugee camp. You arrived with a halfway decent jump-shot; you leave a national champion. You arrived wanting to tell stories; you leave having written, produced, or directed an award-winning documentary film.' He added: 'During your time with us, you changed. You can listen better, think faster, see farther. And that's good because your world will only keep getting bigger and more complicated. You have witnessed wars, climate reckoning, inflation, and rapid developments in technology. The scope and speed of these challenges are staggering. You've absorbed it all swiftly, out of necessity. Fortunately, your degree signals not only what you've learned but, more importantly, that you've learned how to learn.' As part of AUD's ongoing innovation agenda and alignment with national priorities, the university is launching two new undergraduate degree programmes: the Bachelor of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence in Business, and the Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development. These follow the successful launch of AUD's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, reinforcing the university's leadership in preparing graduates for emerging industries. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Parliamentary office calls on government to 'act' against Israeli 'aggressions'
Parliament's office condemned "Israeli aggression" in Lebanon and called on the government to "act urgently to take the necessary measures to end this aggression," during a meeting Thursday chaired by the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). The modification of the law governing municipal elections, particularly in Beirut, was also discussed during this meeting. Following intense strikes on the Nabatieh region Thursday morning, which killed at least two, the Parliament's office "condemned Israel's persistent violation of the cease-fire agreement and repeated aggressions" in Lebanon. The cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, after almost 13 months of armed conflict. Since then, and despite the terms of the agreement, inspired by U.N. Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, the Israeli army continues to bomb southern Lebanon almost daily, killing more than 150 people according to L'Orient Today's count, and remains present in five so-called strategic positions near the border. "The government is urged to act urgently to take the necessary measures to end this aggression which, if it continues unrestrained, poses a danger to Lebanon, its stability, and that of the region," said the office, as reported by Elias Bou Saab, the deputy speaker. These strikes were condemned by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam earlier in the day. '"I affirm that all Israeli violations of resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreements must cease and that the government has spared no effort and will not spare any effort to accelerate the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory," he said in a message posted on X. The municipal voting system referred to a commission Moreover, the amendment of the municipal election voting system was again a subject of divergences, already publicly exposed during the plenary session held on April 24, which led Parliament to request that the issue be addressed by an ad hoc parliamentary commission, often referred to as the "cemetery of legal texts." While some MPs – notably Christian ones – call for the adoption of closed lists in Beirut to ensure parity within the municipal council (12 Christian members and 12 Muslim members), those from the Sunni community linked such an amendment to the condition of expanding the prime minister's (Sunni) prerogatives at the expense of the governor, a Greek Orthodox official who exercises full executive power over the city. This time, after a similar debate during the meeting, it was decided to "refer the subject to the competent commission, that of the Interior and Municipalities, for a long-term and calm study – not only for Beirut, but for all of Lebanon," Bou Saab explained. "No one should expect a legislative session to bring about changes to the current electoral law. What is a priority is to hold the legislative elections scheduled in a year." The municipal elections were held in Mount Lebanon on May 4, and are scheduled for May 11 in North Lebanon, May 18 in Beirut and the Bekaa, and finally May 24 in South Lebanon.
LBCI
08-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Elias Bou Saab: Municipal elections to proceed amid efforts for Beirut agreement
Deputy Parliament Speaker MP Elias Bou Saab revealed, following a meeting of the Parliament Bureau chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri at the second presidential headquarters in Ain el-Tineh, that there are ongoing efforts to reach an agreement among political parties on a complete electoral list for Beirut that ensures parity. However, he noted that nothing is guaranteed so far. He affirmed that the municipal elections will go ahead as planned and that there will be no changes to the electoral law at this stage. Bou Saab also stated that the Parliament Bureau condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression and called on the government to act swiftly to stop the violations.
LBCI
09-04-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Elias Bou Saab discusses reform laws and IMF agreement with Ernesto Ramirez Rigo and delegation
Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Elias Bou Saab welcomed the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, and his accompanying delegation at his office. The delegation included the IMF representative in Lebanon, Federico Lima; senior financial sector expert Jaime Pons; first advisor to the executive director for Lebanon, Maya Choueiri; economist Hanin Al-Fakih; and economist Rita Achkar. They discussed the obstacles hindering the conclusion of an agreement with the IMF and the approval of reform laws, specifically the banking secrecy law, the law for restructuring banks, and the law to address the financial gap. Bou Saab expressed his conviction about the necessity of approving all the reform laws, starting with the banking secrecy law, followed by the law for restructuring banks and the law to address the financial gap, with the condition of protecting the rightful deposits of depositors. He also informed them that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had referred the banking secrecy law to the joint committees and scheduled a session to discuss it next Wednesday. On the other hand, Ernesto Ramirez Rigo emphasized that Lebanon cannot afford to delay the approval of these laws, as donor countries, who are crucial for Lebanon's aid and reconstruction, require an agreement with the IMF.
