UAE-based Al Habtoor Group plans to sell all its assets and investments in Lebanon. The Lebanon Divestment will include hotels, commercial and residential properties, land holdings and other investments. The group announced the decision following years of economic uncertainty and unresolved disputes with Lebanese authorities.
The move follows the conglomerate’s January 28 announcement that it would stop operating in Lebanon. At that time, the group cited prolonged instability and what it described as hostile campaigns. It also referred to public attacks, defamatory actions and ongoing legal proceedings involving the Lebanese government.
The company said these circumstances had made continued operations financially unsustainable. Moreover, it pointed to concerns about state decision-making, stability and protection for its investments. Consequently, the group decided to halt its activities and terminate its employees.
Al Habtoor Group also announced plans in January to pursue legal action against Lebanon. The company estimated its losses at approximately $1.7 billion. It linked those losses to investment disputes, banking restrictions and broader institutional challenges.
According to the group, Lebanese authorities and Banque du Liban imposed measures that restricted access to deposited funds. These restrictions also prevented the transfer of money held in Lebanese banks. Additionally, the company connected its financial difficulties to Lebanon’s wider political and economic crisis.
The latest announcement represents another stage in the group’s review of its international investment portfolio. Its board concluded that selling all Lebanese holdings best served its current investment strategy. The group said this approach aligned with its priorities for capital allocation and protecting its interests.
However, the company does not intend to sell everything through one combined transaction. Instead, it plans to assess each asset individually before pursuing a sale. The process will consider prevailing market conditions and the valuations of individual properties.
Al Habtoor Group first established its presence in Lebanon during the late 1990s. Over the following years, it invested in hospitality, real estate, leisure and other sectors. Its portfolio includes two prominent hotels in Beirut, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel and Al Habtoor Grand Hotel.
The two properties operate as an adjoining complex known as Al Habtoor City Beirut. The group said it maintained its investments through successive periods of political and economic uncertainty. It also highlighted its contribution to tourism infrastructure, economic activity and employment.
The planned exit therefore marks a significant change in the company’s relationship with Lebanon. For years, its investments formed part of the country’s hospitality and property sectors. Now, the group intends to redirect resources towards markets it considers more predictable.
In its latest statement, Al Habtoor Group said it would prioritize countries offering greater long-term stability. It also emphasized investment certainty and sustainable growth opportunities when explaining its revised direction. Furthermore, the company intends to continue pursuing international opportunities that match its long-term objectives.
The group has not provided a complete timetable or detailed schedule for the sales. Instead, it said it would share further information about the divestment process in due course. Individual transactions will depend on market conditions and asset valuations.
The Lebanon Divestment reflects the group’s decision to withdraw its investments after prolonged uncertainty. Its next steps will involve assessing individual holdings and pursuing suitable sales. Meanwhile, the reported $1.7 billion in claimed losses remains central to the company’s stated concerns.
