Latest news with #DevelopmentandLiberation
MTV Lebanon
24-05-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Khreis: Southern Lebanon sends clear message of resilience, commitment to national unity
MP Ali Khreis, member of the Development and Liberation bloc, toured several polling stations in the city of Tyre, including the Bassel Al-Assad Cultural Center designated for voters from the town of Shemaa. In a statement, he noted that 'around 68% of towns in the South and Nabatieh governorates saw uncontested municipal victories, the highest rate in Lebanon, a strong indication that people are aligned with the cause, deeply rooted in their land, and committed to national unity.' Khreis emphasized that 'citizens are casting their votes freely, which reflects the highest form of democracy.' He pointed out that 'despite attempts by the Israeli enemy to cause disruptions, residents remain steadfast and unshaken, responding to Speaker Nabih Berri's call to vote en masse as a public referendum in favor of coexistence and state sovereignty.' Khreis concluded by affirming: 'Our choice is a capable state, and we must maintain pressure on Israel to implement UN Resolution 1701. The popular turnout is a message to the world: the people of the South remain firm in their commitment to the path of Imam Moussa al-Sadr.'
LBCI
14-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Parity or power play? Beirut's municipal race heats up amid shifting alliances
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Last Tuesday, two Lebanese MPs — Edgard Traboulsi and Nicolas Sehnaoui — were told by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain el-Tineh that he was willing to proceed with any law that would guarantee parity in the Beirut municipal council. He even signaled readiness to call a parliamentary session to discuss the matter. However, the two MPs were surprised when Berri stated in a Sunday press interview that amending the municipal elections law was now unlikely due to time constraints. While the reasons behind Berri's change in stance remain unclear, MPs from the Development and Liberation bloc argue that now is not the time for a potentially fruitless constitutional debate that could derail the elections—something firmly opposed by the Hezbollah-Amal Movement alliance. From their perspective, postponing elections would serve Israel's interests by undermining stability in the south. Meanwhile, sources indicate a strong Sunni stance against amending any legal provisions related to the structure of the municipal council without also introducing changes to the powers of the governor, who holds executive authority in Beirut. Amid these tensions, political coordination is intensifying to safeguard parity through a broad alliance involving various parties. Advanced talks have been held between MP Nabil Badr, Al-Ahbash, the Free Patriotic Movement, and the Islamic Group. Badr said contacts are also underway with the Lebanese Forces, and a final response is pending. The outreach extends to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement as well, in hopes of securing parity, which now appears under threat in the absence of mobilization by the Future Movement—once the dominant electoral force in Beirut. Today, Badr says the alliance he is helping to form will uphold parity, especially since the Future Movement's base is expected to rally behind it if the party does not directly contest the elections. Meanwhile, the "Association of Islamic Charitable Projects" claims to now hold the largest Sunni voting bloc in Beirut, totaling 14,000 voters. These dynamics reflect growing uncertainty ahead of the municipal vote. No final lists have been formed yet, and the shape of electoral alliances remains fluid. However, the race is expected to be competitive, with multiple lists likely to emerge—including one backed by MPs Ibrahim Mneimneh and Paula Yacoubian. They argue that invoking 'parity' is merely a smokescreen used by establishment parties to avoid genuine electoral confrontation.
LBCI
28-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Kassem Hashem accuses US envoy Ortagus of supporting Israeli aggression against Lebanon
MP Kassem Hashem, member of the "Development and Liberation" bloc, criticized U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, for giving Israel a "blank check" for its ongoing aggression against Lebanon. Hashem said her comments demonstrated full U.S. military and political complicity in targeting Lebanon. Hashem went on to condemn Ortagus for questioning the role of the Lebanese Army, suggesting that Lebanon was expected to accept the situation and comply with U.S.-Israeli demands to push through "suspicious" projects based on shifting regional dynamics. He stressed that it was time for Lebanon to prioritize national unity and solidarity to end foreign interference that undermines the country's rights and dignity, no matter who offers questionable advice.
