Al Habtoor Group's $1.7 billion claim against Lebanon, and what it says about arbitrating a banking crisis. Background Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group, one of the United Arab Emirates' larger diversified conglomerates with interests spanning hospitality, automotive, real estate and education, has formally filed a Request for Arbitration with ICSID against the Lebanese Republic. The claim proceeds under the UAE–Lebanon bilateral investment treaty, in force since 1999, and follows