Latest news with #AhmadAl-Hajjar
Al Manar
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Polls Close in North Lebanon and Akkar Governorate as Vote Counting Begins
Polling stations closed at 7 PM Sunday in the second phase of Lebanon's municipal and local elections, held across North Lebanon and Akkar Governorate. Ballot counting began immediately after the close. The Interior Ministry announced the final voter turnout across the two governorates as follows: Tripoli (25.04%), Zgharta (38.77%), Bsharri (32.03%), Minieh-Dennieh (49.96%), Koura (38.92%), and Batroun (48.26%). North Lebanon recorded 614,295 registered voters, with 220,562 casting ballots—a turnout of 35.90%. In Akkar, 139,363 of 294,647 voters participated, reflecting a higher turnout of 47.30%. Interior Minister: Security Forces Responded Promptly to Incidents Speaking to reporters shortly before polls closed, Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar said the number of election-related incidents exceeded the official complaints filed. These ranged from administrative to security issues, with rapid intervention by security forces in coordination with the army. He attributed many disturbances to supporters trying to protect their candidates and urged the public to remain calm and responsible during the vote count. 🇱🇧 Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam monitors the vote count from the Interior Ministry's operations room after polls close, joined by Deputy PM Tarek Mitri#Lebanon #elections #عكار #طرابلس — ManarWeb (@WebManar) May 11, 2025 Tripoli Turnout and Alleged Violations Commenting on the low turnout in Tripoli, Al-Hajjar noted that the number of candidate lists was significant and that the city saw some electoral activity late in the day. He stressed that this election is crucial for reinforcing the authority of the state and advancing development. Regarding allegations of vote buying, Al-Hajjar confirmed that security agencies had detained individuals in two confirmed cases and that broader investigations are underway. Staff Absences Addressed On reports of missing election staff, the minister cited reasons including reluctance, travel difficulty, and low financial compensation. He said replacements were secured and expressed hope for full staff commitment in the remaining election phases in Beirut, the South, and the Bekaa.
Al Manar
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Lebanese Vote in First Round of Municipal and Mayoral Elections
Municipal and Mayoral elections kicked off in Mount Lebanon Governorate early on Sunday, amid heightened security measures. Polling stations opened at 7:00 (Beirut time), after ballot boxes were distributed by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities early on Saturday. Mount Lebanon Governorate covers six districts: Metn, Keserwan, Jbeil, Chouf, Aley, and Baabda. A total of 896,996 registered voters will choose between 9,321 candidates—8,142 men and 1,179 women— who submitted their nominations for municipal and mayoral positions across Mount Lebanon. 68 municipalities of 333 have already won uncontested in the first municipal elections since 2016. Parliament has extended mandates of municipal councils three times: In 2022 due to parliamentary elections, in 2023 amid a presidential vacuum, and most recently in 2024 in response to the Israeli war on Lebanon. President Aoun Inspect Electoral Process President Joseph Aoun inspected the operations room at the Ministry of Interior in Beirut's Hamra. He highlighted the electoral event as fundamental. Accompanied by Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar, President Aoun stressed that the role of municipalities is essential. 'Elections are an opportunity for the citizen. The ballot box is your natural right. Vote for whom you believe serves the best interest of your city or town,' President Aoun addressed voters. He noted that security bodies across Lebanon 'have received strict instructions to support the electoral process and ensure its smooth conduct.' Earlier on Saturday, Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar stressed that the ministry is fully ready for the electoral event on Sunday. 'The transparency and integrity of the elections are guaranteed by the law, and I am responsible for their implementation,' he said in remarks carried by the National News Agency.
LBCI
01-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon sets election silence periods for upcoming municipal elections
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar has declared the official electoral silence periods for the upcoming municipal and mukhtar elections. The electoral silence period for Mount Lebanon begins at midnight on Friday, May 2, and lasts until polls close on May 4. For North Lebanon and Akkar, the silence starts at midnight on Friday, May 9, and continues until polling ends on May 11. In Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel, the silence kicks off at midnight on Friday, May 16, and remains in effect until the polls close on May 18. Finally, for South Lebanon and Nabatieh, the silence begins at midnight on Thursday, May 22, and continues until the polls close on May 24.
LBCI
23-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Interior Minister sets South Lebanon and Nabatieh municipal elections for May 24 due to national holiday
Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar signed decrees inviting electoral bodies to vote for members of municipal councils, mukhtars, and optional councils in the districts of South Lebanon and Nabatieh. The elections will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, instead of Sunday, as the original date coincides with the official holiday marking Resistance and Liberation Day.
National News
25-03-2025
- National News
Civil Defense: Tremendous efforts to control Hermel fire which caused 3 dead, 3 injured in critical condition
NNA - The Civil Defense General Directorate's Media and Public Relations Department announced in a statement that, "With the close follow-up of His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, and under the supervision of the Acting Director General of Civil Defense, Brigadier General Nabil Farah, firefighting operations began at 11:41 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, after the General Directorate of Civil Defense's operations room received a call reporting a fire inside a fuel distribution station in Hermel." The statement added that firefighting teams from the General Directorate of Civil Defense immediately rushed to the site of the fire and have been working to combat the blaze and limit its spread, with the support of several vehicles and personnel from the Baalbek Regional Center, Hermel Regional Center, and Qobayat Regional Center. The statement indicated that the fire broke out as a result of gasoline leakage from a tanker truck while it was unloading its cargo at the station. The fire spread at lightning speed, destroying a large number of vehicles (15) and a tanker truck, a building consisting of two floors, with the first floor housing five shops and the second two residential apartments. The slippery terrain and the station's location in a densely populated residential neighborhood contributed to the extensive damage, further complicating the firefighting operations. The fire resulted in the deaths of two Lebanese children who were inside a car parked at the station, while their grandfather sustained serious injuries. A Syrian child who was inside another car also died, and two Syrians who were with him were injured and remain in critical condition. Additionally, two citizens sustained various injuries and were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment. The head of the Civil Defense Center in Labweh was also injured during the extinguishing operations, requiring hospitalization. After extensive attempts, the Civil Defense teams were finally able to fully control the fire and are currently continuing to cool the area to ensure it does not reignite. While the General Directorate of Civil Defense regretted this painful incident, it emphasized the need for adhering to the general safety measures inside fuel distribution stations, such as refraining from smoking or lighting fires, ensuring that equipment is safe, avoiding using mobile phones while refueling, maintaining a functional fire extinguisher and following training on how to use it. The Directorate urged everyone to adhere to the preventative measures to avoid similar incidents. ==========
