Beirut

Municipal Elections: Preliminary Lessons and Takeaways

The municipal vote held on Sunday, May 18—much like those earlier this month—was largely local in scope. In small villages, elections often took on a personal, familial or even clan-based dynamic. However, in larger cities such as Zahle, Baalbeck and Hermel, the contests were more clearly partisan, though not necessarily aligned with broader ...

Army Chief Haykal Inspects Security Measures in Beirut: 'Any Breach of Security Will Not Be Tolerated'

The Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal, conducted an inspection tour of military operations rooms overseeing the municipal elections. The visit aimed to monitor closely the security measures implemented by deployed Army units to ensure the orderly conduct of the vote. In his remarks, General Haykal stressed that the success of the ...

Beirut: The Ones Who Did Not Vote

In Beirut, this municipal election on Sunday unfolded in relative indifference. In some neighborhoods of the capital, only a handful of people made it to the polls. Among those who chose not to vote, many cite disinterest, disappointment or lack of information.

Minister of Interior Reassures on Smooth Election Process

During his visit to the Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate headquarters, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad al-Hajjar confirmed that the electoral process is proceeding very smoothly. He noted that complaints have been minimal and mostly administrative, as is usually the case, with only minor incidents in Fakiha, Kfar Zabad and Hrabta, where ...

Municipal Elections in Beirut and Beqaa: What About Turnout and Complaints?

Municipal and mukhtar elections in Beirut and the Beqaa began at 7 AM on Sunday. The voting percentages reported so far are as follows: Beirut: 12.39% Baalbek: 28.92% Hermel: 22.83% Zahleh: 29.84% Rashaya: 24.72% Western Beqaa : 26.50% Incidents and complaints The elections were marked by a number of irregularities and incidents from the ...

Nawaf Salam After Voting: 'Beirut Elections Are a Real Development Opportunity'

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cast his vote this morning at Omar Fakhoury High School in Burj Hassan during Beirut’s municipal and mukhtar elections. He stated that the elections aim to serve the city, promote its development and meet the needs of its residents. When asked about the issue of equal representation in the Beirut Municipal Council, he ...

Preserving a False Parity…

We spare no efforts when it comes to sugarcoating reality. Some moderate Muslim voices often repeat that a neighborhood without Christians is a neighborhood lost. Christians, in turn, echo such sentiments with phrases like “We stand together with Sunnis for a better Beirut.” But beneath the surface, the numbers tell a different story. Sunnis ...

Beirut Out of Breath: The Anger of a Forsaken Capital

Whether they live in Gemmayzeh, Geitawi, Ashrafieh (Beirut 1) or Hamra, Mazraa, Verdun or Mar Elias (Beirut 2), Beirutis share the same demands – mainly security – which will weigh heavily on the shoulders of the incoming municipal council. The residents we spoke with painted a grim picture of the municipality’s performance, particularly ...

LAF Steps Up Security Amid Municipal Elections, Arrests 86 for Gunfire Offenses

The Lebanese Army (LAF) announced on Friday that it is ramping up security operations and conducting targeted raids to apprehend individuals involved in gunfire incidents tied to the ongoing municipal elections. In an official statement, the LAF confirmed the arrest of 86 individuals and the seizure of weapons and ammunition found in their ...