Al Habtoor Group Prepares for Arbitration Against Lebanon

Feb 23, 2026

65 min

Feb 23, 2026 08:32

Al Habtoor moves toward arbitration against Lebanon, hires White & Case

## Arbitration Preparations

Dubai's Al Habtoor Group is advancing towards arbitration against Lebanon, having enlisted the services of international law firm White & Case. This move follows a six-month cooling-off period stipulated by the UAE-Lebanon Bilateral Investment Treaty, which failed to yield a resolution to the ongoing investment dispute.

## Treaty Dispute

The arbitration will be conducted under the terms of the bilateral treaty, which has been in place since 1999. The treaty mandates protection and fair treatment of foreign investments. Al Habtoor claims that its investments in Lebanon were made in good faith, relying on both local and international legal frameworks.

## Financial Losses

The dispute arises from over $1.7 billion in losses attributed to restrictions by Lebanese authorities and the central bank, Banque du Liban. These restrictions, part of Lebanon's financial crisis since 2019, have hindered the Group's ability to access and transfer funds from local banks. The financial turmoil has also impacted Al Habtoor's assets and operations in various sectors, including hospitality and real estate.

## Open to Settlement

Despite moving towards arbitration, Al Habtoor remains open to settlement discussions that could restore its rights and compensate for damages. However, the Group emphasizes that the lack of action from Lebanese institutions has left arbitration as the only viable path to enforce its claims.

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