UAE, Lebanon Studied Projects During Hariri's Visit

Officials from Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates discussed potential joint projects during Lebanese Prime Minister’s Saad Hariri’s visit to Abu Dhabi in October, the UAE central bank Governor said.

“There were discussions between the UAE and Lebanon in reference to the proposed projects during the UAE-Lebanon Investment Conference, which took place back in October,” Governor Mubarak Rashed Al Mansoori said.

The central bank said discussions didn’t include aid, clarifying earlier remarks attributed to Al Mansoori.

Hariri resigned last week despite calls from Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has representatives in parliament and government, to stay on. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, said Thursday he supported the creation of a government of experts to lead the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese protesters have demanded the ouster of an entire political class they blame for endemic corruption and economic mismanagement. As the rallies have gained traction, so have calls to end a quota system that divides political posts up among the country’s myriad Christian, Muslim and other sects.