Latest news with #Christian-Muslim
Nahar Net
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri says Amal-Hezbollah proved to be 'national duo' in Beirut municipal poll
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 May 2025, 12:55 Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri seemed to be satisfied with the results of the municipal elections in the capital Beirut in an interview with local news portal al-Modon. "We have secured parity in a way that is no longer acceptable to call Amal and Hezbollah a Shiite Duo but a National Duo," Berri told al-Modon in remarks published Tuesday. A list backed by most political parties had won all 24 seats of Beirut's municipality on Sunday, maintaining Christian-Muslim parity on the capital's municipal council. "The picture will be different in the parliamentary elections," Berri said, stressing that municipal elections will be held in south Lebanon - despite everything. Israel has continued to launch strikes on south and east Lebanon despite a November 27 truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah including two months of full-blown war. Nine people including children were injured Tuesday in an Israeli drone strike on a motorcycle in south Lebanon on the al-Mansouri-Majdal Zoun road in the Tyre district, three of them critically. The municipal elections in the south will take place on Saturday with dozens of municipal councils already elected by acclamation.
Nahar Net
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Ex-Mustaqbal official clenches Beirut municipal seat from rival, broad coalition
Al-Mustaqbal Movement's former Beirut coordinator Mahmoud al-Jamal, a retired brigadier general, has managed to clench a seat on Beirut's new municipal council, preventing a list comprising most political parties from winning all 24 seats. Al-Jamal's win came at the expense of Elie Andrea, a Greek Orthodox member of the rival list who was backed by Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi. Andrea was the subject of 'dismay, especially among Greek Orthodox voters, which led to the redaction of his name by voters due to his bad performance as a member of the outgoing municipal council,' the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday. Andrea had also faced a social media campaign against him prior to the elections against the backdrop of his dispute with outgoing municipal chief Jamal Itani, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported. This is the first time in decades that sees Muslims outnumbering Christians in the municipal council. The country's rival political parties had formed an electoral alliance in Beirut under the excuse of preserving Christian-Muslim parity. Political rivals such as Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces came together to form the list, which also comprised the Amal Movement, the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party, the Hunchak Party, the Progressive Socialist Party and MP Fouad Makhzoumi. Al-Jamal's list was backed by MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya and apparently received votes from Mustaqbal supporters. Four other lists were also formed in the capital, including one by the Beirut Madinati civil society group, which won one third of the capital's votes in the 2016 polls. Voter turnout reached only 21% in Beirut, which has historically witnessed similar low turnout levels.
Al Manar
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Speaker Berri: Hezbollah, Amal Movement Secured Christian Participation in Beirut's Municipality
The Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri indicated that the recent municipal elections proved that Hezbollah and Amal Movement proved to be a national duo par excellence, not merely Shia. In a press interview, Speaker Berri said that Hezbollah and Amal Movement assumed their national responsibilities and maintained the Christian-Muslim balance in Beirut's municipality. Speaker Berri pointed out that the results of the municipal elections in Bekaa showed the people commitment to the resistance path through the sweeping victory of the lists backed by Hezbollah and Amal Movement. The House Speaker warned of an Israeli folly against South Lebanon on the day of the elections (May 24), stressing that the vote will be certainly held with attempts to secure wins by acclamation.
Nahar Net
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 May 2025, 13:23 A list backed by most political parties won all 24 seats of Beirut's municipality on Sunday, maintaining Christian-Muslim parity on the capital's municipal council. Political rivals such as Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces came together to form the list, arguing that such a temporary coalition was necessary to preserve equal Christian-Muslim power-sharing. The list was also backed by the Amal Movement, the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party, the Hunchak Party and MP Fouad Makhzoumi. A rival list was formed by MP Nabil Bader, the Jamaa Islamiya and a figure who was considered close to al-Mustaqbal Movement. Four other lists were also formed in the capital, including one by the Beirut Madinati civil society group, which won one third of the capital's votes in the 2016 polls. Voter turnout reached 21% in Beirut, 44.57% in Zahle, 41.11% in West Bekaa, 37.70% in Rashaya, 34.15% in Hermel and 48.88% in Baalbek. The Lebanese Forces meanwhile announced its victory in the Zahle municipal polls against a list backed by all the other political forces and families in an electoral battle in which the Free Patriotic Movement gave its supporters the freedom to vote for either list. LF leader Samir Geagea hailed a 'major victory' in the city, saying 'Zahle has chosen progress, change, civilization, sovereignty, martyrs and Lebanon.' A Hezbollah spokesman meanwhile said the party and its ally the Amal Movement won in the city of Baalbek, the city of Hermel and in 19 towns in the Bekaa.
Nahar Net
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Concerns over capital's Christian seats as Beirut and Bekaa vote in municipal polls
by Naharnet Newsdesk 3 hours Lebanon held the third round of municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, amid concerns over Christian representation in Beirut's municipal council. Sunday's vote was being held in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel. At noon voter turnout was 6.20% in Beirut, 14.86% in Baalbek-Hermel, 14.95% in the Bekaa, 15.89% in the Zahle district, 13.37% in Rashaya and 14.04% in West Bekaa. Clashes were meanwhile reported at a polling station in Zahle and another in Saadnayel, prompting the intervention of security forces. The country's main political parties have come together to form a unified electoral list for Beirut's municipal vote under the excuse of preserving Christian-Muslim parity in the 24-member municipal council. The list comprises candidates nominated by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party and the Hunchak Party. MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya have meanwhile formed a rival list that is headed by a figure close to al-Mustaqbal Movement, which has suspended its political and electoral participation until further notice. The Beirut Madinati civil society coalition, which garnered one third of the votes in 2016, has meanwhile formed a third list. Three other lists are also competing in Beirut, among them a leftist-leaning one supported by former minister Charbel Nahas. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed after casting his vote in the capital that the capital's residents are "capable of guaranteeing everyone's representation in the municipal council."
