Latest news with #Ahmadal-Hajjar
L'Orient-Le Jour
7 days ago
- Climate
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Heatwave: Here are the precautions to take
BEIRUT — A few days after the start of the heat wave currently affecting Lebanon, the Civil Defense advised residents on Monday to take several measures to protect themselves in the next few days and others to avoid provoking wildfires, especially as temperatures are expected to increase further. According to weather forecasts, temperatures will rise above seasonal averages by around 10 degrees in inland areas, with high humidity in coastal areas as well as the possibility of localized rainfall in some regions. The heatwave is expected to continue throughout the week and will gradually subside starting on Friday. The Civil Defense announced that, under the direction of the Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, it has launched a field emergency plan to cope with the extreme heat wave, and warned citizens of the dangers associated with these weather conditions, whether as a result of extreme heat or sudden changes in the weather. According to the statement, the Civil Defense Director General, Brigadier General Nabil Farah, gave instructions to the Directorate's units and centers spread across Lebanese territory to "enhance readiness and preparedness for immediate intervention in the event of any emergency caused by the heat wave or heavy rains that could lead to flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous and border areas.' 'Avoid any activity that could lead to a fire' The heatwave measures advised by the Civil Defense include drinking plenty of water and fluids, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and using sunscreen on exposed skin. Moreover, the statement warns against leaving children, elderly people or pets in cars or enclosed spaces without ventilation. Regarding fire prevention, the Civil Defense calls for refraining completely from lighting fires in dry grass when cleaning agricultural land and warns against throwing cigarette butts from cars or in wooded areas or using fireworks near forests or dry grass. In this regard, Environment Minister Tamara al-Zein reminded residents on Tuesday of the "need to exercise caution, adhere to preventive guidelines, and avoid any activity that could lead to a fire.' Since the heatwave took hold, amid a particularly dry summer following a winter low on rain, Civil Defense firefighting teams have been battling fires across the country, from Akkar in the North, to the Bekaa in the East, to Nabatieh and Sour in the South. On Monday, at least three fires broke out in southern Lebanon, one of which consumed large swathes of forested area and grasslands on the outskirts of the town of Moammarieh, southeast of Saida. Finally, regarding sudden rains, the measures mentioned by the Civil Defense include exercising caution when traveling on roads during heavy rains due to the possibility of flash floods or rock slides and staying away from riverbanks and flood channels. On Monday, rain was reported in northern Bekaa and the Akkar district in northern Lebanon. The statement finally emphasized 'the importance of immediately calling 125 to report any emergency, or sending photos and geographical location via WhatsApp to 70192693 to facilitate rapid intervention and provide immediate assistance.'
Nahar Net
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Hajjar says elections to continue in South even if Israeli attacks occur
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar visited Sidon on Tuesday and hoped the municipal and mayoral elections in the South on Saturday will be an occasion for the state to 'restore its presence and stress its sovereignty in the South.' Asked about possible Israeli attacks during the electoral process, Hajjar said: 'I reiterate that the Lebanese state's decision is clear and that it is not possible to bargain on its sovereignty over the land of the sacred South and all southern villages.' 'Certainly a part of the South is still occupied and Israeli attacks and violations are continuing, but the Lebanese state and government, starting with the president, the PM and the interior minister, are carrying out the necessary contacts to halt the violations in general, but specifically during the elections period in the South and during the counting of votes and the issuance of results,' Hajjar added. Hoping contacts with the ceasefire monitoring committee will lead to 'a calm electoral day on Saturday,' the minister said: 'Anyhow, we are not awaiting guarantees, but we are determined to hold the elections and practice our sovereignty and presence in this dear part of our land.' Asked about the impact of any Israeli attack on the electoral process, the minister said: 'If any violation or attack happens, the decision is clear: continuing the electoral process and dealing with the situation on the ground.' 'Of course we have our vision for the distribution of polling stations, how to deal with the movement of voters and the deployment of security forces. Based on thism we hope the security plan will have a positive impact leading to a successful electoral day,' Hajjar went on to say.
Asharq Al-Awsat
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Begins Clearing Beirut, Airport Road of Political Banners
Lebanese authorities have launched a sweeping campaign to remove political party flags, posters, and slogans from Beirut's streets and the main road to Rafic Hariri International Airport, in a move aimed at restoring the capital's image and promoting tourism. The cleanup, which began early Wednesday, was ordered by Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar and Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud, with municipal crews and Internal Security Forces overseeing its execution. The initiative is part of a broader government plan to improve public spaces and reflect state authority, especially in areas highly visible to visitors. 'This is about presenting a unified, civil image of Lebanon,' al-Hajjar told Asharq Al-Awsat, emphasizing that the effort aligns with the government's commitment to assert state sovereignty and support economic recovery. 'The President pledged to restore the state's authority, and that includes enhancing the appearance and functionality of our cities,' he added. Starting from central Beirut and stretching along the airport highway, the operation targets all political symbols — including those of powerful groups like Hezbollah and the Amal Movement — as well as commercial billboards installed on public property. Abboud confirmed that all major parties were informed of the decision and responded cooperatively. 'There's consensus that the capital and airport road should reflect the Lebanese state — not individual factions,' he said, adding that the airport zone must be safe and firmly under state control. The campaign is also part of preparations for the upcoming summer tourism season, with expectations of increased arrivals from Arab countries, expatriates, and international visitors. Authorities have prioritized street lighting and infrastructure upgrades as part of the broader revitalization. 'In just a few months, we've gone from pleading for diesel to keep the airport running, to relighting the entire route from the city center to the terminal,' said Abboud. 'We want Beirut to look like a city of joy and openness.' Party-related imagery placed on public property along Beirut's roads has long caused tension, often dividing neighborhoods along political lines. Security officials say the removal effort has proceeded smoothly and without resistance, marking a rare show of unity in a politically fractured country. 'The state respects everyone's right to political activity,' a security source said. 'But that no longer includes turning public space into partisan territory.'
National News
09-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Hajjar inspects Directorate of Local Administrations, Intelligence Interception Unit
NNA - Interior and Municipalities Minister, Ahmad al-Hajjar, on Wednesday conducted a visit to the General Directorate of Local Administrations and Councils, where he met with Acting Director General Faten Abou Hassan, department heads, and staff. Al-Hajjar listened to their demands and the directorate's administrative and logistical needs. Al-Hajjar commended 'the role played by the directorate across all its divisions in diligently maintaining and activating operations, and in serving as a key reference for municipalities in enhancing and advancing local governance, especially as we approach a critical electoral period in which the Lebanese people are counting on their right to choose their representatives in municipal and mukhtar councils.' The Minister further emphasized 'the importance of following up on citizens' affairs and administrative procedures,' noting that 'the administration will undergo modernization and development to better serve the public.' Al-Hajjar also inspected the headquarters of the telephone intelligence interception unit, where he held a meeting with Colonel Engineer Khaled Youssef and the technical team operating the system. ======R.H.
Asharq Al-Awsat
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Interior Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Holding Municipal Elections on Time
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar has stressed commitment to holding the municipal elections on time, saying administrative preparations are underway to organize the polls in May. 'The government is determined to hold this election according to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and democracy,' Al-Hajjar told Asharq Al-Awsat. "As for organizing elections in border villages and towns that have been destroyed (in Israeli bombardment), we are working on preparing a study on an appropriate solution." In April of last year, the Lebanese Parliament agreed on a one-year postponement of the municipal elections due to the Israel-Hezbollah war. The parliament had previously postponed the polls twice; the first in 2022 and the second in 2023. The last municipal elections, which are held every six years in Lebanon, were about nine years ago. According to the Lebanese Interior Ministry, the number of municipalities in the 2016 elections (for mukhtars or heads of municipalities) stood at 1,029, distributed across eight governorates. The number of mukhtars stands at 3,018, distributed across Lebanon. Information International estimates that there are 640 legally recognized municipalities that are currently inactive, while 125 municipalities have been dissolved. The number of municipalities in southern Lebanon is 271. Party Mobilization Lebanese political parties have recently mobilized in preparation for the elections. According to a source close to the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, or the so-called Shiite duo, preparations have started based on an agreement signed years ago between the two parties regarding the distribution of shares in municipalities. Sources from the Lebanese Forces party also confirmed that they are "fully prepared to participate in the municipal elections," telling Asharq Al-Awsat that they 'now have a clear vision for fighting this battle." Preparations within the Free Patriotic Movement, however, appear slower.
