Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his government would not allow any party to drag the country into war. His remarks followed statements by Hezbollah's chief Naim Qassem, who said the group would not remain neutral in the event of a US strike Iran, amid heightening fears Lebanon could once again be pulled into a regional escalation. 'We are working to reclaim the decision of war and peace, and for the first time in a long while, the armed forces fully control southern territory,' he said while speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Follow our live coverage https://news.ae/WorldGovtSummit

The UAE said it wants to see direct talks between Iran and the US, stressing that diplomacy, not another regional showdown, is needed urgently to defuse tensions and resolve the nuclear issue. Speaking at the World Governments Summit, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said the region could not afford another crisis. 'I don’t know what’s going on in President Trump’s mind, but I can give you the view from the region, the view from the UAE,' he said. Follow our live coverage https://news.ae/WorldGovtSummit

Dubai has signed a contract to develop a high-speed underground transport system led by Elon Musk’s tunnelling firm, The Boring Company, as part of the emirate’s push to ease congestion and manage growing traffic volumes. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority said the first phase of the Dubai Loop will cost Dh600 million and connect the DIFC and Dubai Mall areas through an underground network built beneath existing roads. The agreement was signed about a year after the project was first revealed by Musk, as Dubai grapples with rapid population growth and heavier traffic flows. https://news.ae/4bzwpsS

Leaders and decision-makers convene at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, reflecting on major global issues such as the future of government and international co-operation, the rise of artificial intelligence and economic uncertainties. Follow our live coverage https://news.ae/3M9VArl

Dubai’s Dh500 million expansion of Umm Suqeim Beach could actively support marine biodiversity if designed carefully, according to coastal and marine experts. The masterplan, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, will increase the beach’s size by 30 per cent and introduce new structures aimed at strengthening resilience against rising sea levels. https://news.ae/4rnQO8I

The National's front page for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | https://news.ae/Frontpage