New investment opportunities in focus at the first Abu Dhabi Business Week

Mr. Joumblatt's pessimism about the political situation in Lebanon did not stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians, including Mr. Hariri.

Acting Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting at a table in a discreet seafood restaurant in Beirut's upscale Sodeco district.

Mr. Joumblatt told us The National that the fish served at Kelly's Fish Lounge was very good.

“They really enjoyed their time,” the restaurant owner remembers. “Mr Hariri took selfies with everyone.”

Mr. Hariri and Mr. Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.

Mr. Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr. Hariri's murdered father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The two were leaders of the political group opposing the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon, which ended after mass protests in 2005 following the assassination of Rafik Hariri. After the younger Hariri took over from his father in 2004, the relationship with Mr. Joumblatt continued.

However, the couple wasn't always so close. In the run-up to last year's elections, Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt remained silent for months without discussing a dispute over the new proportional representation system to be applied for the first time. Mr. Joumblatt feared that a proportional system, which Mr. Hariri supported, would reduce the influence of his small sect.

Because so much of Lebanese politics is agreed upon in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits place great emphasis on how regularly, where and with whom senior politicians meet.

In addition to Messrs Khoury and Hariri, the picture included Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.

The picture of the dinner caused a great stir on Twitter, suggesting that a government would soon be formed. “God willing, white smoke will soon rise and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] “I will accept to resign as Industry Minister,” one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings be to you… We want you to form a cabinet,” wrote another.

Whether these wishes come true will be crucial in the next few days.

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According to the United Nations Environment Program, all life on Earth—including in its forests and oceans—forms a “rich web of interconnected and interdependent forces.” Today's biodiversity on Earth is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of different biological species. The term “biodiversity” is relatively new, having become popular since the 1980s and comes with an understanding of the growing threats to nature, including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. Biodiversity loss itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms, and a stable climate. Nature can be an ally in the fight against global climate change, but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting goals to be achieved by 2020 to protect the natural state of 17 percent of the land and 10 percent of the oceans. However, according to experts, these are far from enough as half of the country needs to be in a natural state to avert a catastrophe.

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The games will be played on the weekend of March 21st and 22nd

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