UAE, Lebanon agree to deepen economic and diplomatic ties during President Aoun’s visit

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This handout picture released by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (L) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on April 30, 2025. (AFP)
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A picture shows a view of the United Arab Emirates embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut on October 30, 2021. (File/AFP)
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Updated 01 May 2025
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UAE, Lebanon agree to deepen economic and diplomatic ties during President Aoun’s visit

  • The UAE’s Knowledge Exchange Office will visit Beirut to share expertise on improving government performance and institutional excellence
  • The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will dispatch a delegation to Lebanon to evaluate potential joint economic projects
  • Both sides also agreed to facilitate travel between their countries

DUBAI: The UAE and Lebanon have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation through a series of initiatives, state news agnecy WAM reported on Thursday. 

The initiatives include the formation of a joint Emirati-Lebanese Business Council, efforts to increase mutual diplomatic representation, and support for Lebanon’s economic development and institutional reform.

The announcement came during Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s working visit to the UAE, where he was received by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at Al-Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The two leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation in economic, investment, and government sectors. As part of this effort, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will send a delegation to Lebanon to assess potential joint projects, while the UAE’s Knowledge Exchange Office will visit Beirut to share best practices on government performance and institutional excellence.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s stability, security, and sovereignty, emphasizing its strategic role within the Arab region. He expressed hope that the visit would bolster relations and advance mutual development goals.

The UAE president also said the reopening of its embassy in Beirut was a symbol of the country’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s new phase.

Both sides also agreed to facilitate travel between their countries through appropriate mechanisms.

The leaders exchanged views on regional developments and stressed the importance of Arab unity and security.

President Aoun thanked the UAE for its longstanding support and expressed readiness to enhance bilateral ties.


Jordanian anti-drugs authorities arrest 35 suspects in nationwide raids

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Jordanian anti-drugs authorities arrest 35 suspects in nationwide raids

  • Public Security Directorate said suspects are linked to 13 criminal cases involving drugs and weapons
  • In the capital, Amman, authorities handled seven major drug-related cases

LONDON: The Jordanian Anti-Narcotics Department arrested 35 suspects nationwide for drug production, dealing and smuggling, while seizing large quantities of drugs and firearms.

The Public Security Directorate on Sunday said that the suspects are linked to 13 criminal cases involving drugs and weapons, the Petra news agency reported.

Security forces conducted raids targeting drug dealers and promoters in several governorates, including Ma’an, where 10 wanted dealers were arrested. Additionally, two dealers were apprehended in Zarqa, and four suspects were arrested in Ajloun. The security forces in the southern Shouneh district raided three locations, arresting two suspects involved in marijuana cultivation.

In Amman, authorities handled seven major cases. A drug dealer was arrested with 17,000 narcotic pills, another with 18 blocks of hashish, and three traffickers were caught after a chase, resulting in the seizure of five blocks of hashish, 500 narcotic pills, crystal meth, and a firearm.

The fourth case in Amman led to the seizure of 1.25 kilograms of crystal meth, while the fifth resulted in the arrest of two traffickers with 14 blocks of hashish. In the sixth case, four dealers were arrested with 5 kg of marijuana, and the final case involved the seizure of six blocks of hashish from a dealer.

Authorities raided a site in the Ramtha District used by a drug dealer for distributing crystal meth. They arrested the suspect and seized 1.5 kg of the substance. In Mafraq, authorities arrested three drug promoters who were found with 4,000 narcotic pills after being tracked and raided.