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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.
LBCI
12-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Kataeb official Sassine Sassine urges Beirut voters to respect existing agreement among political factions
Sassine Sassine, adviser to the leader of the Kataeb Party, said that a significant shift has taken place in Lebanese public sentiment, noting that most citizens have come to realize that illegal weapons have failed to protect anyone. Commenting on the ongoing municipal and mukhtar elections, Sassine emphasized that the process is a constitutional duty and that the Lebanese state is doing everything possible to ensure the elections are successful. "The Kataeb Party is satisfied with the way things are progressing," he said. Regarding the Beirut elections, Sassine acknowledged the proposal made by General Ashraf Rifi concerning the two Beirut districts, describing it as a fair approach that aims to represent all sides. Nonetheless, he noted that such a discussion requires a "calm fire" — a Lebanese expression implying thoughtful and patient dialogue—to reach true consensus. He also urged Beirut voters to respect the existing agreement among the city's political and community factions. In Zahle, Sassine said the lack of an electoral alliance between the Kataeb and the Lebanese Forces was due to decisions made by local Lebanese Forces officials in the district. However, he clarified that the Kataeb maintains regular communication with the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leadership nationwide. "It is through open dialogue with all parties that we can rebuild the country," he concluded.
Nahar Net
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
North Lebanon municipal elections marred by some clashes
by Naharnet Newsdesk 11 May 2025, 12:44 Voting got underway Sunday in north Lebanon's municipal and mayoral elections, which witnessed a higher number of clashes compared to last Sunday's polls in the Mount Lebanon governorate. Voting turnout at 11:00 am was the highest in the Batroun district with 13.23% while it was the lowest in Tripoli with 3.49%. It meanwhile reached 11.70% in Akkar, 9.28% in Zgharta, 7.96% in Bsharri, 10.34% in Minieh-Dinniyeh and 9.86% in Koura. A consensual electoral list comprising both the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces is running in the elections in Batroun, while in Zgharta a list backed by the Marada Movement is competing against a civil society list that is expected to receive support from MPs Michel Mouawad and Michel Doueihi. Speaking in Tripoli, Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar said he hopes 'enthusiasm will not turn into violence that affects the electoral process.' 'We witnessed some clashes during the day and electoral fever in several areas took a violent turn, prompting the security forces and army to intervene to control the situations,' Hajjar added. The municipal elections are the first vote since a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah and after a new national government was formed. Lebanon is supposed to hold municipal elections every six years, but cash-strapped authorities last held a local ballot in 2016. President Joseph Aoun has emphasized the vote's importance to "give confidence to the people and internationally that Lebanon is rebuilding its institutions and is back on the right track." Aoun was elected in January and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed a government the following month, ending a more than two-year vacuum as Lebanon's balance of power shifted following the Israel-Hezbollah war. The new authorities have promised reforms in order to gain the trust of the international community, as well as unlock billions in bail-out funds amid a five-year economic crisis. They have also vowed a state monopoly on bearing arms. Hezbollah was left badly weakened in more than a year of hostilities with Israel, with a slew of commanders including the group's longtime chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, killed and its strongholds pummeled in the south and east and in south Beirut. Israel has continued to strike targets in Lebanon despite a ceasefire and still has troops in five areas it considers "strategic". In April 2024, the municipal polls were postponed amid the hostilities, which escalated in September into a major Israeli bombing campaign and ground incursion before the ceasefire about two months later. Religious and political affiliations are usually key electoral considerations in multi-confessional Lebanon, where power is shared along sectarian lines. Municipal ballots however provide a greater margin for local community dynamics to play a role. Polls will close at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Beirut and the country's eastern Bekaa Valley area set to go to the polls on May 18 while voters in the heavily damaged south will cast ballots on May 24.
L'Orient-Le Jour
10-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Union of Municipalities, the mother of battles
After the municipal elections in Mount Lebanon, political attention is turning to the next contest: control over the Union of Municipalities. This post-election phase marks a new front in the struggle among the country's main political players — particularly Christian parties such as the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), the Lebanese Forces (LF) and the Kataeb Party, along with the Marada Movement and the Independence Movement in influential local figures are also entering the fray, including the Murr family in Metn, among others. Some actors launched their campaigns for union leadership just hours after the first round of voting in Mount Lebanon on Sunday. Others had already set their strategies in motion ahead of election with good reason. These upcoming battles are expected to be fierce, given what is at stake:...
See - Sada Elbalad
01-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Lebanon to Hold First Municipal Elections Since 2016 Amid Crippling Crises
Ahmed Emam For the first time since 2016, Lebanon is heading back to the polls for long-overdue municipal and local elections—a significant political milestone after three years of postponements caused by the country's deepening financial collapse, political paralysis, and security threats. The elections are scheduled to take place in stages throughout May, beginning in Mount Lebanon, followed by the North, Akkar, Beirut, the Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel, and concluding in the South and Nabatieh on May 24. More than 1,050 municipalities across all governorates are expected to participate. This return to the ballot box comes at a time when Lebanon continues to reel from overlapping crises: an unprecedented economic meltdown, severe institutional dysfunction, and escalating regional tensions. Despite these challenges—including over 3,000 reported Israeli strikes in the past six months targeting Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa, and southern areas—the Lebanese government has resolved to proceed with the elections, viewing them as a necessary step toward restoring constitutional order and institutional credibility. While the political landscape remains largely stagnant, the decision to move forward with elections signals an effort to revive local governance and break the administrative deadlock that has left several municipalities without leadership. The elections are also part of Lebanon's broader commitments to political and administrative reform. A recent report titled 'Starting in Mount Lebanon… Beirut Prepares for First Municipal Elections in 9 Years' highlighted nationwide preparations and the logistical challenges of organizing the vote. Many observers see the elections as a litmus test for the state's capacity to manage democratic processes, especially with parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. Early estimates suggest that some races, particularly in the South and northern Bekaa, may be decided by acclamation due to political consensus or lack of opposition. However, competitive contests are expected in politically contested areas—especially between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement—underscoring the elections' potential to reshape local power dynamics. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
