Al Habtoor Group escalates Lebanon investment dispute to international arbitration. The UAE-based conglomerate has appointed White & Case to represent it in Washington, DC proceedings under the UAE-Lebanon Bilateral Investment Treaty. This move follows the expiry of a mandatory six-month cooling-off period and the group's assertion that Lebanese authorities failed to provide meaningful corrective action or settlement proposals. Al Habtoor cited continued institutional paralysis and absence of remedial measures as forcing its hand toward formal legal channels. The group, which closed its Lebanon operations in January citing prevailing conditions, seeks recovery of damages from investments made in good faith. The company remains open to serious settlement initiatives that restore its rights and compensate incurred losses.
