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Macron Returns To Beirut; First Commercial Plane Journey Made From Israel To UAE; Protests Grow In Kenosha And Portland. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired August 31, 2020 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:17]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first commercial flight in history between Israel to a Gulf Arab country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Jared Kushner is in town and making history. He touched down in Abu Dhabi on the first ever commercial
flight from Israel. He says the stage is now set for Middle East peace. More on that in a moment. But he's not the only one promising change in the
region. French President Emmanuel Macron is keeping his promise to the people of Beirut flying back to Lebanon a month after -- in a show of
support some months after that deadly port explosion.
And the world of sport above as the Catalan Kings contract dispute gets well even messier.
Well, this hour riding in to save the day as Kushner and Macron come to this, the Middle East region and Israeli plane lands in Abu Dhabi, where we
are broadcasting to you for from in full regalia after an American broken deal. And the French President heads back to Beirut to try and fix it
warning if he doesn't, there will be civil war.
I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD live from our Middle East hub right here in the UAE where making history can take many
forms and act of warfare. The stroke of a pen or the touchdown of a plane whose journey many had considered impossible. You're looking at senior
White House advisor Jared Kushner, who is here in Abu Dhabi, after the first commercial flight ever from Israel, to the UAE.
The aim is for the U.S. and Israeli officials to convince Arab leaders to attend the White House ceremony for the recent normalization deal between
the two countries. So viable goal or just a wing and a prayer, that we have to wait on. But seeing an Israeli planes white and blue livery in a gulf
country is in itself enormous. And it's no surprise that it is happening here in the UAE, perhaps the region's most progressive and politically
imaginative state.
On the side of the jet you can see the word peace, translated into Arabic and Hebrew Salaam, Shalom, and there are hopes it can be an auspicious
harbinger of just that, not just for this region, but for the man Kushner is representing. Take a listen. This in hard the raw after Jared is
somewhat overpowering.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JARED KUSHNER, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: I bring greetings from President Trump to the great people of the United Arab Emirates. We just completely
(INAUDIBLE) the first ever commercial flight from Israel to (INAUDIBLE) country. This hopefully will be the first (INAUDIBLE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the journey began at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in just the last few hours. But here's what's really key. In another first Saudi
Arabia Palau, the Israeli Hillel jet to cross its airspace and we will discuss the significance of that this hour. A huge day for us here then in
Abu Dhabi and we are covering every angle. Oren Liebermann was only -- was the only international journalist on the flight. He is now here in the
city.
Sam Kiley and John Defterios also ready to bring us important analysis and later we will speak to our international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson,
who is today for you from London. Let's kick off with Oren. What was the mood on the flight, Oren?
OREN LIBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, the mood was certainly optimistic. And there were statements from Jared Kushner from National
Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, and from the head of Israel's national security council Mayor Ben Shabbat to that effect, both before the flight,
after the flight and Kushner as well as spoke to reporters on the flight. And all of them are with this sense of optimism on an historic flight.
As you pointed out, not only the first direct Israeli commercial flight between Tel Aviv and the Gulf nation, Abu Dhabi, of course, in this case,
but also the first direct overflight of an Israeli commercial jet of Saudi Arabia. And that was announced by the pilot shortly after we took off. In
fact, that statement began in Arabic, as did the head of the Israeli delegation when speaking here in the United Arab Emirates.
So there is certainly a gravity to this moment. An optimism to this moment. And all of that builds into what Jared Kushner and the Trump administration
see as the Middle East. It's not only changing in the favor of the United States, but also one that's changing in the favor of Israel and they hope
they can take this momentum and build on it to see if other countries will either normalize relations with Israel or take part in what's expected to
be a White House signing ceremony in just a few weeks between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Here is a statement from Jared Kushner as he spoke.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KUSHNER: This is a historic flight. We hope that this will start an even more historic journey for the Middle East and beyond. I prayed yesterday at
the wall that Muslims and Arabs from throughout the world will be watching this flight, recognizing that we are all children of God, and that the
future does not have to be predetermined by the past.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIEBERMANN: It's clear, though, that this isn't the only issue on the table here. And there's certainly a lot of major issues behind the normalization
agreement. And three of those issues kept up every time we got a chance to ask questions of the delegation and specifically of Jared Kushner.
The first of those is where does annexation stand? Let's remember that under the Trump administration's vision for peace, Israel was supposed to
be able to annex parts of the West Bank that now according to Kushner is suspended.
Where does it stand? How soon could it happen under what circumstances, that he pushed off saying, let's focus on today. Second, perhaps the major
question for the United Arab Emirates, will they get the Lockheed Martin F- 35, the latest fighter in the American arsenal? That is a key question for them one that some Israeli officials have said they absolutely object to.
But at least according to the statements from Kushner, that deal very much looks like it's moving forward.
They promised to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge, something they are bound to do by law. But based on the statements we've had, and in
talking to others on the delegation, others who heard those statements, the impression is certainly that the UAE is on the march or is moving towards
getting closer to the F-35. And of course, the other question that kept coming up is where do the Palestinians stand in all of this?
Kushner I would say may have even been a bit dismissive of their objections to this normalization agreement, saying look, we're here, we have the Trump
administration's peace plan on the table. And even if the Palestinians have rejected that, even if it's come under criticism from the international
community and many in that community, it's on the table if the Palestinians want to come talk, they can talk under that agreement.
Essentially saying the Palestinians have been moved past in this and the administration perhaps suggesting that other Arab countries would do the
same if the Palestinians don't get in the game sooner rather than later.
ANDERSON: And we are seeing peace written on the plane in three different languages. You reported on the fact that this flight flew over Saudi Arabia
and I just want our viewers to hear the pilot describing that moment, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAL BECKER, SENIOR CAPTAIN, EL AL FLIGHT FROM ISRAEL TO ABU DHABI: Ten to 45 years, 45 years civil aviation, never dreamed of such a flight. It's
really, very exciting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So, the question really is this, there is no doubt that this was a flight that made history. But what is it that happens next? What is it
that Jared Krishna and his U.S. delegation hope to achieve here in Abu Dhabi, and indeed, on their kind of wider trip around the region, Oren?
LIEBERMANN: The agreement in and of itself is perhaps achievement enough for Jared Kushner for the Trump administration, especially so close to an
election to tout as a foreign policy victory? Are they trying to build on that? Yes, absolutely. Without question, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was
in the region just recently visiting some of the other countries that are seen as perhaps most likely to normalize relations with Israel, countries
like Sudan, perhaps Morocco, Oman, Bahrain.
Those are the countries considered at the top of the list to make this move next. It doesn't look like Pompeo made much headway. Sudan saying it can't
do it in the transition government, there weren't many positive sounds coming from and the other countries, Kushner will take his crack at seeing
if he can get those countries to budge. He said on the flight that he's expected to visit Saudi Arabia on this trip.
We expect them as well to visit Oman and Bahrain, as well as Jordan and Egypt. Of course, those two countries already have peace agreements with
Israel. So there Kushner is trying to get support, and perhaps even attendance to that signing ceremony that's expected to be at the White
House between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Even a show of support for that signing ceremony is an accomplishment of itself for the Trump
administration.
And again, the administration will view it as another angle at which the Palestinians are in the corner left on their own as the rest of the region
moves on.
ANDERSON: Oren Liebermann now on the grounds in Abu Dhabi. Sam Kiley was there at the airport as the delegation and indeed our team arrived from
Israel. Here is that historic touchdown.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESONDENT: This is a terrific moment for Jared Kushner, a moment for the Trump administration to trumpet a
diplomatic breakthrough.
[10:10:05]
KILEY: The symbolic moment of the normalization of the relationship between United Arab Emirates and Israel with the Star of David flying alongside the
Emirati flag. But for the Palestinians, this is not a moment to put history behind them. This is a moment that they say represents nothing short of a
total betrayal. Many critics of this deal are asking what is it that the Emirates really got in return for normalizing relations?
The Emiratis have said, well, they're keeping the two-state solution alive by persuading the Israelis to suspend their plans to annex large chunks of
the West Bank. But critics are saying that that suspension is not permanent. Benjamin Netanyahu has made that very clear that it could happen
in the future but ultimately also, the Emiratis are saying that they at least now will have a voice with the Israelis.
They will have the opportunity to affect Israeli policy in the future, and above all, they want to do business. They want to do military business.
They want to get involved in buying more and more capacity for the Israelis to surveil the population. All of that I.T. energy that's been bottled up
in Israel they want part of.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And our senior international correspondent base here in Abu Dhabi. Here's Sam Kiley, of course, and he's joining us now. Sam, it would
be easy to see today's events purely through the prism of the Trump administration, a foreign policy win for Donald Trump in the run up to the
election. And there is certainly merits in that narrative, but to do that, solely would be to minimize the historic nature of what we have witnessed
today.
Let's start there, this flight and this is a chord between Israel and the UAE is indeed and historic step. Explain why.
KILEY: Well it's acutely historic because in the past the Arab world, particularly the Sunni Arab world, and this is a key aspect of this has if
not declaring the Jewish state, an enemy with the exception, of course of Jordan and Egypt, both of whom, of course, have been locked, literally
locked horns with Israel in the past, but have peace deals. The rest of the Arab world has made any kind of normalization of relations with the
Palestinians.
Absolutely critical upon the Israeli agreement to establish an independent, viable Palestinian state living in peace, side by side with Israel. Now
that has been the principal of the Oslo Accords was also above all the principle of the Arab proposal put through or authored essentially, by the
Saudi Arabia. Now, more than a decade and a half ago that is really underpinned the official position of the Arab world.
But what's been going on in the meantime, is that in any case, for many of the Gulf monarchies in the Arab world, the Palestinians have been useful
external issue to project interest about what might be going on internally, externally, if you like Palestinian support for the Palestinian cause was
rhetorical, not real.
And now that there are new generations of leaders, particularly Western educated leaders, sophisticated people in the Middle East and in the Gulf
nations, they, from their perspective, see greater advantage in a much closer strategic relationship both with the United States and Israel when
it comes to Iran.
And it is Iran that they perceive to be the single biggest threat and simultaneously with that they see the Palestinian leadership not unlike
many Palestinians themselves, as a feckless, corrupt, geriatric completely lacking in ideas and even any kind of leadership energy simply trotting out
standard objections to maneuvers carried out by the Israelis. Now, that Palestinian street has had no voice in the construction of this deal, nor
in the so called deal of the century.
And it does remain to be seen the extent to which the Arab street more widely will welcome normalization with Israel be indifferent to it, or
react in a potentially violent way to it. And of course, in the midst all of this, who's likely to gain in the strategic sphere, we're less likely to
be Iran, because it is the Iranian through their kind of doctrine of resistance, who championed the Palestinian cause, although they're a shear
country, the Palestinians, predominantly Sunni Muslims, but they already influential in the Gaza Strip.
They've been accused of getting tendrils of influence onto the West Bank. And for the more radical elements, certainly within the Palestinians, they
will now be looking more to Tehran for support than they have from perhaps they're closer Sunni brethren.
ANDERSON: Jared Kushner says, and I quote him here. "The stage is now set for other Arab suits to follow suit -- to follow the UAE into normalizing
its relations -- their relations with Israel"
[10:15:10]
ANDERSON: And indeed, so the Kushner story goes provide a buffer to Iran, the Arab based -- sorry, the Saudi based Arab news, saying this this
morning and I quote, "Israeli officials have publicly mentioned Oman, Bahrain and Sudan as potentially following suit." Is it clear whether any
new deals with other Arab states are imminent?
KILEY: I don't think any of them are going to charge at it whilst they waiting to see what happens in the U.S. elections. But we do know from our
own con conversations, I'm sure you've had them, Becky. I've certainly had them in my previous incarnation with another broadcaster, the Bahrainis let
slip that they quite like to get their hands on the Israeli anti-missile missile technology.
Something I think the Israelis would negotiate a very, very hard deal over a because of the perceived threat they see from Iran in the back. These
issues are very live issues. There's also a very strong feeling that the whole of the Gulf, the wider Arab world is being held back by the
Palestinian issue. There is, however, a lack of frequently a lack of understanding. I have to say a degree of naivety, when discussing the
Palestinians.
And only ever seeing the Palestinian cause through the prism of their understanding of their leadership, there are many hundreds of thousands,
two and a half million Palestinians still in that landscape on the West Bank in Gaza, and more descendants of refugees elsewhere. They haven't had
a vote in this. And these other nations will be waiting to see how I think in the wider dispensation, first of all, what comes out of the American
elections.
How the European Union reacts to this, how the Russians choose to play, where the best opportunities are for those nations in terms of real
politic. This is real international relations being played much more from the perspective of what is in it for us by these Arab nations and much less
clearly now publicly what's in it for the Palestinians.
ANDERSON: So Sam Kiley in Abu Dhabi on what has been an historic day. Well behind today's optics, some valuable trade and commercial agreements could
benefit both countries combining UAE's investments and Israeli tech savvy may pay off for -- not just those two countries, but the whole region.
Here's what Israel's national security adviser is looking forward to.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEIR BEN SHABBAT, ISRAELI NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (through translator): Our goals to achieve a joint work plan to advance relations in a wide range
of fields, tourism, aviation, innovation, science, technology, health, economy, and many other fields.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the list is long. One agreement on developing a COVID-19 testing device has already been inked. So, are we witnessing a case here?
Where business links and collaboration, stepping up the pace of diplomacy. Well, John Defterios is in Abu Dhabi as well today. The two countries,
John, not wasting any time and getting down to business. What are the opportunities here?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN BUSINESS' EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, I say, Becky, this is on the diplomatic fast track, no doubt about it from three weeks, a
little bit less than that announcing this accord to having two delegations from the United States and Israel land on to the Arabian sands is
extraordinary in itself. And clearly, business ties can help speed along or grease the wheels of diplomacy.
If you take a step back, and I think this is quite interesting. Both the UAE and Israel have reputations internationally on business, but they don't
overlap with each other. First, the UAE a major sovereign investor of $1.2 trillion in its portfolio, an investor in the U.S., Europe and Asia clearly
would like to add Israel to that portfolio going forward. I would think, especially when it comes to technology, defense, electronics, and even
security.
On the other side in Israel, they have their version of Silicon Valley in Silicon Valley, a prolific IPO machine in terms of an incubator, and they
have that kind of perfect match between technology finance, and pulling in that talent from the defense industry here. So you can see where they can
have collaboration. You heard the security official from Israel, suggesting at least a handful of areas from agricultural tourism.
We had a very important sector here in the UAE, the Minister of food security, Mariam Al-Muhairi put out a tweet today kind of underscoring the
importance the historic significance of the visit today. Let's take a look at that. She suggested the Alon Schuster, and I held our first conversation
to discuss opportunities. The peace accord brings for both our countries and food and water security, issues of great concern for the UAE and
Israel.
[10:20:07]
DEFTERIOS: You touched upon it briefly but before the Abraham accord was announced they had an agreement between two defense electronic firms and
the UAE and Israel, exploring ways of perhaps even tracing when it comes to COVID-19, after the Accord was announced pharmaceutical companies coming
together on the biggest threat in the world, again, on this virus and how they can collaborate.
We could even have phone calls, as you know, Becky between the UAE and Israel, now we have flights, can they formalize commercial aviation? Can
they set up the embassies? And very importantly, to solidify the relationship established the trade links which are going to be something
that's going to last much longer than the initial signing of the court.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. Fascinating. John, thank you. A lot more on today's historic event in the next 90 minutes. There is so much going on in this
the Middle East region this hour. And on the show Lebanon's Parliament appoints a prime minister designate hours ahead of what is an important
visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. That is the face of the new prime minister.
More on Lebanon's political musical chairs ahead of. And U.S. politicians point fingers as people are dying in the fight for racial injustice. Let me
get you to the two cities that are now flashpoints in that fight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, U.S. President Donald Trump is promoting peace in the Middle East. He is accused of stoking tensions at home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We're talking about seething anger on the streets of Kenosha in Wisconsin, and Portland in Oregon over the weekend. That armrest is not
only created a raw moment in modern American history, but it could also define the upcoming presidential election. In Portland, shooting death
during this weekend's protest has prompted Mr. Trump to demand that the city's mayor take control after 90 days of protest there. The mayor man hit
back after the President called him weak.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR TED WHEELER (D), PORTLAND, OREGON: Classic Trump. Mr. President, how can you think that a comment like that if you're watching this is in any
way helpful? It's an aggressive stance, it is not collaborative. I certainly reached out. I believe in a collaborative manner by saying
earlier that you need to do your part, and I need to do my part and then we both need to be held accountable.
Let's work together. Would that be a message? Donald Trump and Ted Wheeler working together to help move this country forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Mr. Trump plans to visit Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin on Tuesday.
[10:25:04]
ANDERSON: Just a week after police there shot and unarmed black man in the back partially paralyzing him. The resulting protests there came to a head
when two people were shot dead by a 17-year-old accused of being a white supremacist. Now his lawyers deny that. They say he fired in self-defense.
It is though a serious escalation in the tension and Wisconsin's lieutenant governor wants the president to reconsider his visit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GOV. MANDELA BARNES (D-WI): You look at the incendiary remarks that the President has made. They centered in an entire convention around creating
more animosity and creating more division around what's going on in Kenosha. So, I don't know how given any of the previous statements that the
President made, that he intends to come here to be helpful, and we absolutely don't need that right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Who is to blame for the violence on the streets? Is it local authorities who Mr. Trump calls weak? Or is it the President himself who is
accused of sowing the seeds of hate? Lucy Kafanov takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHEELER: President Trump, you bring no peace. You bring no respect to our democracy.
LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Portland's Mayor Ted Wheeler slamming President Trump after a weekend of unrest in his city that left one man
dead.
WHEELER: Your campaign of fear is anti-democratic, is anything you've done to create hate and vitriol in our beautiful country. And now you want me to
stop the violence that you helped create. What America needs is for you to be stopped.
KAFANOV: After the death of George Floyd in May, Portland has seen three months of intense protests with demonstrators demanding the mayor who also
serves as the police commissioner put an end to police brutality and racial injustice. But on Saturday, protesters against police brutality clashed
with a caravan of Trump supporters. According to The New York Times, one video shows counter protesters shooting a paintball gun into a crowd of
protesters from the back of a truck.
Then later in the night, gunshots were heard and a man was shot and killed. The New York Times report the victim was wearing a hat with the insignia of
the far right group Patriot Prayer. Police have not yet released the name of the victim or any information about the suspect in the shooting who
remains at large.
CHUCK LOVELL, PORTLAND POLICE CHIEF: And it's critical that everyone refrained from conjecture. Our constitution permits freedom of speech and
assembly and individuals are free to disagree. But criminal activity, especially violence is out of balance.
KAFANOV: The President responding to the mayor's attack in a string of tweets calling Wheeler "Weak and pathetic," and even "Wacky and a dummy."
Earlier Sunday the Trump administration threatened to step in if Portland doesn't gain control of its city.
CHAD WOLF, U.S. ACTING HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: We've been asking Portland to do their job really for over three months now. We need them to
step up and if they can't, or they don't have the ability or the resources, asked the Federal government will provide those resources.
KAFANOV: President Trump has tried to vilify Black Lives Matter protesters in democratic cities as violent agitators, a theme that is becoming a focal
point of his reelection campaign.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You know what I say? Protest is your ass.
I don't talk about my ass. They're not protesters. Those aren't -- those are anarchists. They're agitators. They're rioters. They're looters.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Lucy Kafanov reporting from Portland, Oregon.CNN's Shimon Prokupecz is on the ground in Kenosha in Wisconsin. And lots of pushback
for Donald Trump's trip there Tuesday, which we weren't reporting on earlier which the White House says it's still on. Shimon, would you expect
the same reaction if Joe Biden announced he was on his way to Kenosha?
SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Hi. That's a great question and probably not. You see, the thing is with this president with
President Trump, you know, as we see, he's not a uniter, right? He's a type of guy who -- there's a lot of division, and there's a lot of concern from
law enforcement all across the country and not just here in Kenosha that his presence sparks, outrage, sparks unrest.
And that is exactly what they're concerned about here that his presence is going to disrupt the days of peace that they have had. And so, you have the
governor sending him a letter saying we do not want you coming here. The local mayor has said this is just not the right time. And really, I don't
know what the purpose ultimately of what his presence really is going to mean. He says he's coming here to meet with law enforcement and to see some
of the destruction.
[10:230:01]
PROKUPECZ: Well, quite honestly there isn't that much destruction. This isn't like a hurricane or a tornado ran through this town. There is some
business but it's very clear that in some ways this is probably political. And we'll see what has -- what happens here tomorrow when he gets here. But
for the most part, the local leaders do not want him here.
ANDERSON: Shimon is reporting in Kenosha. Thank you. You're watching CONNECT The WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson here in the UAE. Ahead on this show,
the French President fulfilling a promise to return to Lebanon. The country France helped establish 100 years ago. The tragedy and political turmoil
clouding that occasion is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, these are images you will not forget. Emmanuel Macron visiting the site of that massive explosion at Beirut's main a port. Just
shy of a month ago. Well, the blast killed 190 people and wounded 6000 more.
The French President promised to return on September the first coinciding with the hundredth anniversary of the modern State of Lebanon. Mr. Macron
is fulfilling that promise expected to land in Beirut again in about two hours' time.
Well, hours ahead of Mr. Macron's expected arrival, Lebanon's parliament has designated a new prime minister, Mustapha Adib. He is the country's
former ambassador to Germany and his appointment continues the political musical chairs that ensued after the government resigned following the
Beirut tragedy. So who is he? And what does this mean? One thing we know it doesn't mean is a whole lot of change least for now.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh is in the region tracking development. She joins me now. And this hour, the west weeping into the Middle East Jared Kushner on
today's historic flight from Israel to the UAE of course. And Emmanuel Macron arriving back in Beirut a month ago, the French President called for
change. Let's start with the announcement of a new prime minister. Who is he?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well (INAUDIBLE) Becky, most Lebanese probably hadn't heard of him until his name began circulating
yesterday. He comes from one of the smaller Sunni political groups in the country that have the former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He was an advisor
to that former prime minister, his chief of staff, he has a background in law. He was a professor and he also, you know, worked on different
committees when it comes to electoral law.
[10:35:03]
KARADSHEH: Perhaps one of the reasons he was chosen at this stage but also since 2013, as you mentioned, he has been Lebanon's ambassador to Germany.
And, you know, what is interesting here is just like his predecessor, has sanded yet, he's not really known amongst the Lebanese population. Again,
perhaps the reason here, where he's being put forward is someone who is not really the face of the political elite that has been rejected by the
majority of the population.
But what is very different here, Becky, is the fact that, one, we had the political establishment deliver so fast, this is a process where they have
to usually have these consultations where they decide on a prime minister designate.
This could take months and they delivered really fast and what is also different here is that he has got the backing of the different political
blocks, you've got the semi block of former prime minister Saad Hariri, the Saudi-backed block in parliament.
And you've also got the Iranian-backed Hezbollah also supporting this prime minister. It's looking at this point for many people is too good to be
true. We'll have to wait and see what happens. We heard from the Prime Minister designate a deep today speaking shortly after that announcement of
his designation, and take a listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MUSTAPHA ADIB, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER - DESIGNATE (through translator): In these hard times, our nation are going through, there is no time for
chalking promises and wishes. It's time to work with the cooperation of everyone in order to heal our country and bring back home to our potential
to a better future because all Lebanese are extremely worried about the present and the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KARADSHEH: And Bucky, you know, he is saying all the right things and hoping that he's going to have a swift government formation process in the
next few weeks. But this is a prime minister who is facing enormous challenges ahead. You've got multiple crises taking place at the same time,
whether it's the economic, the financial, the political, the house situation with COVID cases, spiking.
But most importantly, you've also got that crisis of confidence where this ruling elite that has again produced this Prime Minister and a lot of
people will see him as that as the result of the political jockeying that has been taking place between these same -- the same political
establishment. He has got to gain the trust of the people and that is perhaps, Becky, going to be the toughest task ahead for him.
ANDERSON: Yes, and we'll do more on this in the next hour. Jomana, for the time being, thank you very much indeed for joining us. And for more on the
Lebanese Prime Minister - designate, head to our website at cnn.com. Lots more on who is, his political career and his affiliations.
Well, a man credited with saving more than 1000 lives during the Rwandan Genocide has been arrested on terror charges. Authorities say Paul
(INAUDIBLE) Rusesabagina is accused of founding and leading extremist groups and is currently being held in Rwanda's capital. The 66-year-old is
hailed as a hero for sheltering hundreds of people in a hotel he managed during the 1994 genocide.
CNN is David McKenzie following the story for us from Johannesburg. And his story was the real life inspiration for the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda.
What do we understand to be the details of these latest charges?
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rusesabagina was taken into a police station in Kigali and you saw those images of him being
cuffed in a suit taken in by heavily-armed police and security forces in Rwanda. Now, this man is seen by many as a hero, as you say the inspiration
for the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda is well-documented that saving hundreds of families who fled the genocide of -- in Rwanda, particularly in Kigali.
That Hotel Mille Collines is right in the center of Kigali, and a great personal risk. He sheltered those families until they could get out safely.
Now, it might seem then a surprise that he is holed in on what seemed to be terror charges being accused of a founder, leader, sponsor of violent armed
extremist terror outfits, according to the Rwandan Investigation Bureau, a state-run operation.
Now he has been perhaps more importantly, a critic of Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda for a very long time. And even since the airing of that
movie, he has been a thorn in the side of Kagame who is increasingly say critics ruled with an iron fist in that country
[10:40:04]
MCKENZIE: Now he has been sought by Rwandese officials for many years. He has said that Kagame has overstepped his leadership, as well as also saying
that the RPF the Rwandan Patriotic Fund, was involved in atrocities during the genocide, which is rarely seen as a taboo in Rwanda. Now it's unclear
where he was taken, but they did obliquely say was with international cooperation, Becky. And it will be interesting to see who in fact handed
him over.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. All right, David, thank you. With CONNECT THE WORLD back after this.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back. Speaking of getting started. Barcelona's players been doing their medicals ahead of La Liga Season. Let's take a quick look
then at arrivals for their checkups. There goes Luis Suarez, right? Antoine Griezmann, Jordi Alba, Ronald Koeman. Are we missing anyone? Anybody?
Anybody? A tease if ever there was one. CNN's Tom Riddell hereto put us out of our misery, sir.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Nearly no mercy, right? Not yet anyway and unless there's a secret entrance in the trap door at Barcelona's
training ground. He did not appear on Sunday for his mandatory coronavirus test. Becky, Barcelona, are due to resume training within the next hour.
And at this point, it does seem as though Lionel Messi is determined to leave the club.
Remember he put in a transfer request last week but has yet to be figured out between he, his agent and the club. The fans of course want him to stay
but so far no sig.
ANDERSON: Amazing. Yeah, of course the fans wanted him to stay. I mean, why wouldn't they? And there are just as many fans of the EPL who want him to
leave Barcelona and get installed with a club in the U.K. Let's see what happens. We're going to send you to break though. Thank you, Don with this
video.
A brief but terrifying flight. A three-year-old girl caught at the bottom of a kite and was sent flying into the air in Taiwan. Luckily, she only
suffered minor scratches to her neck and face. Terrifying, terrifying. Back after this.
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