Latest news with #Hajjar
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.
Al Manar
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Over 45% Turnout in Mount Lebanon Municipal Elections, President Aoun Calls for Post-Vote Accountability
The municipal mayoral elections in Mount Lebanon concluded on Sunday with what officials described as a successful turnout, exceeding 45% of registered voters. Ballot counting continued late into the night following a long and competitive election day. Turnout rates varied among the six districts of the governorate. Keserwan topped the list with 60%, driven by fierce competition among political party-backed lists. In contrast, Metn registered the lowest turnout. Preliminary results showed sweeping victories for the 'Development and Loyalty' lists in the Baabda towns of Haret Hreik and Ghobeiry; in Joun, Jiyeh, and Wardaniyeh in Chouf; and in Bmekine in Aley. The same political group also secured wins in Ras Osta, Beshtlida, Hjoula, Mghayri, and Ain El Ghouaybeh in the Jbeil district. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces claimed victory in the city of Jbeil. Lists backed by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) won in Hadat, Souk El Gharb, Kahale, and Wadi El Sitt, while Kataeb-supported lists prevailed in Beit El Dine and Beit Chabab. Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar held a press conference Monday morning, thanking all those who contributed to the election's success and praising the efforts of every employee involved. 'I oversaw the results in coordination with all stakeholders. We also developed a computerized system to audit the results before publishing them on the Interior Ministry's website,' Hajjar said. He announced a comprehensive review of the electoral week to address logistical issues and prevent their recurrence in future phases. 'The start of the new political era and the formation of a government have had a positive impact across the country,' the minister added. As part of the official follow-up, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the Interior Ministry's operations room on Sunday to monitor the vote-counting process after the Interior Minister announced the end of the first round of elections, with a turnout rate of 44.59%. Villages and towns in Keserwan and Metn witnessed high voter engagement, fueled by intense family and partisan rivalries. Jounieh emerged as the main electoral battleground. In Metn, results for 17 municipalities and 37 mayors were decided by acclamation. Baabda, the largest district in Mount Lebanon, saw a mix of acclamation and fierce competition. In Bourj Al-Barajneh, the municipal council was elected unopposed, while contests were limited to mayor seats. In Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, electoral battles pitted Hezbollah- and Amal-backed lists along with the FPM against those supported by dissident MP Alain Aoun. During a tour of polling centers in Beirut's southern suburbs, Minister Hajjar emphasized the significance of holding democratic elections in areas previously targeted by Israeli attacks, despite existing challenges. In Jbeil, Chouf, and Aley, voter turnout was driven by sharp competition between established political alliances and influential family networks. Over 86,000 voters in Jbeil elected 40 municipal councils and 119 mayors in a calm yet fiercely contested race, while Chouf and Aley witnessed similar tensions between partisan and familial candidates across both municipal and mayoral elections. President Aoun to Winners: 'The Real Responsibility Begins Now' President Joseph Aoun congratulated the winners of the municipal and mukhtar elections, praising the successful completion of the first phase in Mount Lebanon, which took place in a democratic and transparent atmosphere. He commended citizens for their active participation, which reflected their commitment to municipal governance and its key role in driving local development. Speaking from Baabda Palace, Aoun affirmed that the elections mark a step forward on Lebanon's path to recovery despite ongoing challenges, applauding the Interior Ministry and security forces for ensuring a smooth and orderly process. He also thanked all contributors, including media outlets that covered the vote throughout the day. Aoun emphasized that the true responsibility begins after the elections, with the focus on serving citizens and meeting their needs. He stressed that, while competitive, the elections are an opportunity to strengthen national unity and expressed hope that the next phases will carry the same momentum and integrity.
LBCI
25-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Interior Minister schedules May 24 elections in South Lebanon and Nabatieh, adjusted for holiday
Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Hajjar has signed a decision to call for municipal and elective council elections in the districts of South Lebanon and Nabatieh Governorates. The elections, scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025, will determine members of the municipal and elective councils. The date was adjusted from Sunday to Saturday due to the official holiday marking the Resistance and Liberation Day. Additionally, Hajjar signed a decision regarding the submission of candidacy declarations for the municipal and elective elections in both the South and Nabatieh governorates. The submission period will begin on Monday, May 28, 2025, and end at 24:00 on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The financial boxes at the governorate centers, district offices, judicial records offices, and civil registry offices will remain open during official working hours throughout the candidacy submission period until 24:00 on the last submission day.
MTV Lebanon
09-04-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Hajjar inspects Directorate of Local Administrations, Intelligence Interception Unit
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar 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. Hajjar listened to their demands and the directorate's administrative and logistical needs. 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." 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.
LBCI
12-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Beirut port explosion investigation gains momentum after judicial decision—here's what we know
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian On Jan. 25, 2023, Lebanon's top prosecutor at the time, Judge Ghassan Oueidat, barred public prosecutors from receiving any documents from Judge Tarek Bitar, the lead investigator into the Beirut port explosion. Two years later, in March 2025, acting top prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar reversed Oueidat's decision, a move expected to significantly facilitate Bitar's work and accelerate the investigation. According to judicial sources cited by LBCI, Hajjar's decision is crucial for several reasons. First, it resolves legal disputes over Bitar's procedures and opens the door for cooperation between him and the public prosecution, allowing the latter to weigh in on the case. Second, it enables Bitar to benefit from international cooperation, meaning he can now obtain crucial information from foreign countries. Third, and most importantly, it restores legal order within the judiciary. As a result, Judge Bitar can once again notify defendants through security agencies rather than judicial officers. Lastly, once his investigations are complete, Bitar will submit the case to Hajjar for review before issuing indictments—something that was previously impossible due to Oueidat's decision. As for the investigation, sources indicate that Bitar is set to conclude the first phase in the coming days after hearing testimony from a former General Security officer. He will then move on to the second—and most contentious—phase. This phase is expected to be particularly sensitive, as Bitar will schedule hearings for politicians, military officers, and judges who had not previously been summoned. The list includes: Former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, MP and former Minister Ghazi Zaiter, State Security chief Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba; Former General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim; Former Minister Nohad Machnouk; Judges Ghassan Oueidat, Ghassan Khoury, Carla Shawah, and Jad Maalouf. Hajjar's decision to restore cooperation between the public prosecution and Bitar has been met with relief from the families of the Beirut blast victims. Why now? Why not a year ago? Within judicial circles, some believe Justice Minister Adel Nassar mediated between Bitar and Hajjar to reach this outcome. Others suggest Hajjar has been promised a permanent appointment as Lebanon's top prosecutor. Regardless of the motive, the key takeaway is that the judicial process is now back on track.
