Latest news with #Bekaa
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Hezbollah declares sweep in Baalbek municipal elections as alliance with Amal holds firm
Hezbollah secured a decisive victory in the third round of Lebanon's municipal and mukhtar elections, with its "Development and Loyalty" lists winning all seats in Baalbek and across the Bekaa region. The results were announced by Hussein Al-Nemr, Hezbollah's official in the Bekaa region, who hailed the outcome as a reflection of strong grassroots support for the party's local governance strategy. Commenting on the results, MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, noting the consistency of their joint electoral performance. Al-Hajj Hassan dismissed the intentions of the rival list in Baalbek, stating that its goal was not development but rather political change. "The response came clearly through the ballot boxes," he said, underscoring the electorate's rejection of efforts to shift the city's political direction.
LBCI
18-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Early results emerge from Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel municipal elections
Preliminary results from Sunday's municipal and mukhtar elections in Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel are beginning to emerge, with several victories and key figures reported across the three governorates. According to preliminary results, the electoral machine of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) announced the victory of its supported list in the town of Haouch Barada, in Baalbek. In Beirut, MP Fouad Makhzoumi's electoral machine reported that 25.11% of eligible Sunni voters cast their ballots, while turnout among Shiite voters reached 22.34%. According to LBCI's correspondent, voter turnout in the town of Qaa reached 51% in Sunday's municipal elections. Preliminary results indicate that the list backed by the Lebanese Forces is currently in the lead. Another correspondent reported that the list headed by Salim Ghazaleh and backed by the Lebanese Forces is leading in the Zahle municipal race, ahead of the rival list led by Asaad Zoghbi. In remarks on Sunday night, Lebanon's Interior Minister announced that election-day disputes were successfully resolved, and several individuals were arrested over vote-buying attempts. He confirmed that the electoral process remains underway in at least one polling station. Meanwhile, a correspondent stated that the "Beirut Betjmaana" list secured victory in the mukhtar elections in the Saifi area, with Fayrouz Mourani receiving the highest number of votes overall. According to the Amal Movement's electoral machine in Beirut, voter turnout in the capital reached 21.03%, with the highest participation recorded in Mazraa polling stations at 26%. As final tallies come in, a clearer picture of the elections will emerge over the next several hours.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Beirut's choice: Prime minister urges citizens to shape their city's future
BEIRUT: Lebanon held the third round of municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday. Sunday's vote was held in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam inspected the central operations room overseeing the electoral process at the Ministry of Interior and across various electoral centers in Beirut. Defense Minister Michel Menassa and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar accompanied him. After casting his ballot in Beirut, Salam said that the elections provided an opportunity for citizens to express their true wishes for the city and voiced hope for a high voter turnout. He stated that the people of Beirut should not miss the chance to decide what kind of city they want. 'I urge them to participate in the elections in large numbers.' Salam affirmed that the people of Beirut 'are capable of ensuring representation for everyone in the municipal council.' He said that the new municipal council is not obligated to support the government's efforts; instead, it is the government's responsibility to meet all the needs of the people of Beirut. He added: 'This is a developmental choice par excellence.' In an afternoon appeal, Salam repeated his call for voters to cast their ballots, stating that the voter turnout in Beirut remained low. MPs supporting the parties' list in Beirut expressed concern about the low turnout during the day. Security and military forces deployed personnel to assure the safety of polling stations and the routes leading to them. The Lebanese Army Command announced that an army unit in Baalbek and the Douris area arrested four people found in possession of combat pistols, a quantity of hashish, and captagon pills. In an official statement, the Army Command warned citizens 'against creating trouble, firing guns, and endangering the lives of others.' It also suspended 'all gun licenses in the governorates where elections are being held for 48 hours,' stressing that it 'will not hesitate to pursue and arrest all those who disrupt security across all Lebanese territory.' During the voting process, Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over Beirut. As the southern governorates and Nabatieh prepare for the final round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, an Israeli drone targeted a Rapid car on Sunday on Beit Yahoun Road near a Lebanese army checkpoint, wounding the driver and a soldier manning the checkpoint. Sunday's elections were described as 'fierce,' with intense competition between political party lists and civil society. Voters extensively crossing out party candidates cast doubt on the parties' ability to maintain public support and raised concerns over Beirut's ability to uphold its model of coexistence. For example, Sunni voters were striking off Shiite candidates affiliated with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, as well as Christian candidates affiliated with the Lebanese Forces and their allies. The capital experienced intense competition between two main lists: the 'Beirut Unites Us' list, which includes candidates from political parties with significant discord, under the slogan 'Preserving Equal Representation of Muslims and Christians,' and the 'Beirut Madinati' list, supported by Change deputies. The Forces of Change is a parliamentary bloc that comprises multiple reformist parties and independent MPs. Other lists were also running in the electoral race. They include a list of candidates affiliated with the Future Movement, which suspended its political activity, and candidates of the Islamic Group, as well as other civilian lists. The civilian voter turnout remained low until 2 p.m., not exceeding 13 percent. Voters affiliated with Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and the Al-Ahbash Association were expected to arrive at polling centers in groups before voting concluded at 7 p.m., aiming to tip the balance in favor of their party list. Abu Al-Abed Al-Nuri, a voter in one of the Al-Mazraa electoral centers, said that 'he composed his list by himself, choosing only Sunni candidates. 'All parties have wronged Beirut and caused disastrous consequences; however, they have now united and insist on sharing the benefits while ignoring our demands and problems,' he added. MP Fouad Makhzoumi said: 'We are trying to impose equal representation in voting.' MP Hagop Terzian from the Free Patriotic Movement bloc stated: 'Parties are not from Mars; they are part of Beirut and have allied to ensure equal representation.' Hezbollah MP Amin Sherri said: 'We insist on equal representation. Cross-outs are Beirut's enemy.' Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged voters in Beirut to support the parties' list 'because the elections in Beirut reflect on coexistence in Lebanon, as it is the capital that represents the country's main face.' Competition for municipal seats was also fierce in the Bekaa, particularly in Zahle and Baalbek, raising voter turnout to 30 and 40 percent during the day. Several people, including two members of the Internal Security Forces' Information Branch, were injured in Zahle during a raid conducted by a patrol from the branch, supported by a Lebanese Army unit, on a Hezbollah electoral office in the area on suspicion of bribery. Around 15 young men were present at the site during the raid. The permits of several representatives for the non-partisan Change list in the city of Baalbek disappeared. It was revealed that the person who hid the permits — and who was arrested by the security forces — was working for the Hezbollah list in the area.
LBCI
18-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Interior Minister says Bekaa elections running smoothly, Southern vote preparations underway
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar confirmed that the electoral process in Bekaa is proceeding smoothly, without interference or pressure. Speaking from the Zahle Serail, Hajjar noted that voting was briefly halted in three or four polling stations, but the issues were resolved and the situation is now under control. He added that minor security incidents occurred in some areas, but security forces were able to contain them. Hajjar stated: 'The next round of elections will take place next Saturday. The presidents of the republic and the government are continuing their consultations, and I am also in contact with relevant authorities and the countries participating in the ceasefire monitoring committee for the southern elections. We are not waiting for any guarantees.' He added that preparations had been made to anticipate potential staff shortages in Bekaa and Beirut elections, and staff were quickly reassigned where needed. Hajjar also confirmed that the final electoral map for South Lebanon is not yet complete, and that the distribution of polling centers will be finalized over the next two days based on several criteria—most importantly the safety of the electoral process and the security of voters, staff, and judges. Bekaa's Governor said, "We have received complaints regarding vote-buying, but we need confirmation and evidence. We intervene whenever an incident occurs.'
LBCI
18-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Voter turnout varies across Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel: Official figures
According to figures released by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, voter turnout in Lebanon's ongoing municipal and mukhtar elections reached 6.20% in Beirut, 14.86% in Baalbek-Hermel, and 14.95% across the Bekaa region. Turnout rates in individual districts were as follows: Rashaya: 13.37% Hermel: 13.01% West Bekaa: 14.04% Zahle: 15.89% Baalbek: 15.19% Beirut: 6.20% These numbers reflect voter participation as the country continues its third phase of local elections.
