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LBCI
6 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
In the crossfire: Can Lebanon stay out of the Iran-Israel war?
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi As drones, rockets, and warplanes traversed Lebanon's skies amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Lebanese authorities are intensifying political and security efforts to prevent the country from being pulled into the widening regional war. On the ground in South Lebanon, the Lebanese Army has bolstered its deployment at sensitive locations to prevent rocket launches that could provoke further escalation. Measures have also been tightened at checkpoints leading to areas south of the Litani River to prevent any armed group from exploiting the volatile situation. In parallel with military and security efforts across the southern region, Lebanese intelligence services have issued explicit warnings to Palestinian factions, urging them not to involve Lebanon in the conflict under any pretext. Security sources noted that through formal communication channels, they sensed a clear stance from Hezbollah to avoid engagement in the current conflict and to keep Lebanon out of the hostilities. Despite repeated Israeli airstrikes and the assassination of several Hezbollah members following the ceasefire agreement, the group has refrained from retaliating. Sources indicate that Lebanese security attention is also focused on the country's interior and the Syrian border in northern Bekaa, where concerns remain about the potential for opportunistic infiltration or clashes. An exchange of fire on the border Friday was described as limited in scope, with no reports of Syrian reinforcements entering the area. President Joseph Aoun chaired a high-level security meeting with the ministers of interior, defense, and public works, as well as the heads of Lebanon's security agencies, to assess recent developments. The resulting statement emphasized steps being taken to maintain internal stability, ensure the safety of civil aviation, and preserve operational readiness. Amid the ongoing regional and international developments, Lebanon continues to prioritize the renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping force mandate in the south. Recent Israeli media claims suggesting the mission might be canceled were denied by U.S. officials. This position was reinforced by a visiting U.S. delegation in Beirut this week, which met with key stakeholders and heard both the UNIFIL and Lebanese perspectives. Lebanese authorities emphasized the critical role of UNIFIL in supporting the Lebanese Army and maintaining stability along the southern border, warning that a withdrawal would isolate the army and risk further destabilizing the region.
LBCI
05-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Amid reconstruction talks, Hezbollah urges Lebanon to act on available donor funds — the details
Report by Nada Andraos, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian During a meeting between the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc delegation and Lebanon's prime minister on Wednesday, the main topic discussed was reconstruction. Hezbollah, which hasconsistently urged the government and state institutions to assume their responsibilities and initiate reconstruction of areas damaged by Israeli strikes, presented the prime minister with a detailed proposal based on a damage assessment it conducted in the south, the Bekaa region, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. According to the group, the government can begin work using a $250 million World Bank loan in addition to €75 million in support provided by France. Work could start on projects that can be completed within this funding, especially since the reconstruction process is being approached in three phases: removing rubble and debris, conducting partial and structural repairs, and carrying out full reconstruction. The group's delegation proposed that the government begin with the first two phases—removing rubble and debris while simultaneously starting partial and structural repairs. Hezbollah's survey found that 460 buildings require partial or structural repair at an estimated cost of $37 million, which would allow 7,020 families to return. In the south, the group estimated that similar repairs would cost $100 million and enable 20,000 families to return to their homes. The prime minister, who listened closely to Hezbollah's presentation, affirmed that the government is fully assuming its responsibilities and is working on a comprehensive reconstruction plan. The Grand Serail is also finalizing preparations to host the reconstruction donor conference on June 10. In parallel, Baabda is following up on the file through the president's adviser for reconstruction affairs, Ali Hamie, who, according to LBCI, will represent the president in meetings of the ministerial committee overseeing the file to stay informed about ongoing assessments and mapping. Meanwhile, the president continues outreach efforts, requesting international support to help Lebanon secure reconstruction funding.
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Hezbollah declares sweep in Baalbek municipal elections as alliance with Amal holds firm
Hezbollah secured a decisive victory in the third round of Lebanon's municipal and mukhtar elections, with its "Development and Loyalty" lists winning all seats in Baalbek and across the Bekaa region. The results were announced by Hussein Al-Nemr, Hezbollah's official in the Bekaa region, who hailed the outcome as a reflection of strong grassroots support for the party's local governance strategy. Commenting on the results, MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, noting the consistency of their joint electoral performance. Al-Hajj Hassan dismissed the intentions of the rival list in Baalbek, stating that its goal was not development but rather political change. "The response came clearly through the ballot boxes," he said, underscoring the electorate's rejection of efforts to shift the city's political direction.
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.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Beirut's choice: Prime minister urges citizens to shape their city's future
BEIRUT: Lebanon held the third round of municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday. Sunday's vote was held in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam inspected the central operations room overseeing the electoral process at the Ministry of Interior and across various electoral centers in Beirut. Defense Minister Michel Menassa and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar accompanied him. After casting his ballot in Beirut, Salam said that the elections provided an opportunity for citizens to express their true wishes for the city and voiced hope for a high voter turnout. He stated that the people of Beirut should not miss the chance to decide what kind of city they want. 'I urge them to participate in the elections in large numbers.' Salam affirmed that the people of Beirut 'are capable of ensuring representation for everyone in the municipal council.' He said that the new municipal council is not obligated to support the government's efforts; instead, it is the government's responsibility to meet all the needs of the people of Beirut. He added: 'This is a developmental choice par excellence.' In an afternoon appeal, Salam repeated his call for voters to cast their ballots, stating that the voter turnout in Beirut remained low. MPs supporting the parties' list in Beirut expressed concern about the low turnout during the day. Security and military forces deployed personnel to assure the safety of polling stations and the routes leading to them. The Lebanese Army Command announced that an army unit in Baalbek and the Douris area arrested four people found in possession of combat pistols, a quantity of hashish, and captagon pills. In an official statement, the Army Command warned citizens 'against creating trouble, firing guns, and endangering the lives of others.' It also suspended 'all gun licenses in the governorates where elections are being held for 48 hours,' stressing that it 'will not hesitate to pursue and arrest all those who disrupt security across all Lebanese territory.' During the voting process, Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over Beirut. As the southern governorates and Nabatieh prepare for the final round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, an Israeli drone targeted a Rapid car on Sunday on Beit Yahoun Road near a Lebanese army checkpoint, wounding the driver and a soldier manning the checkpoint. Sunday's elections were described as 'fierce,' with intense competition between political party lists and civil society. Voters extensively crossing out party candidates cast doubt on the parties' ability to maintain public support and raised concerns over Beirut's ability to uphold its model of coexistence. For example, Sunni voters were striking off Shiite candidates affiliated with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, as well as Christian candidates affiliated with the Lebanese Forces and their allies. The capital experienced intense competition between two main lists: the 'Beirut Unites Us' list, which includes candidates from political parties with significant discord, under the slogan 'Preserving Equal Representation of Muslims and Christians,' and the 'Beirut Madinati' list, supported by Change deputies. The Forces of Change is a parliamentary bloc that comprises multiple reformist parties and independent MPs. Other lists were also running in the electoral race. They include a list of candidates affiliated with the Future Movement, which suspended its political activity, and candidates of the Islamic Group, as well as other civilian lists. The civilian voter turnout remained low until 2 p.m., not exceeding 13 percent. Voters affiliated with Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and the Al-Ahbash Association were expected to arrive at polling centers in groups before voting concluded at 7 p.m., aiming to tip the balance in favor of their party list. Abu Al-Abed Al-Nuri, a voter in one of the Al-Mazraa electoral centers, said that 'he composed his list by himself, choosing only Sunni candidates. 'All parties have wronged Beirut and caused disastrous consequences; however, they have now united and insist on sharing the benefits while ignoring our demands and problems,' he added. MP Fouad Makhzoumi said: 'We are trying to impose equal representation in voting.' MP Hagop Terzian from the Free Patriotic Movement bloc stated: 'Parties are not from Mars; they are part of Beirut and have allied to ensure equal representation.' Hezbollah MP Amin Sherri said: 'We insist on equal representation. Cross-outs are Beirut's enemy.' Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged voters in Beirut to support the parties' list 'because the elections in Beirut reflect on coexistence in Lebanon, as it is the capital that represents the country's main face.' Competition for municipal seats was also fierce in the Bekaa, particularly in Zahle and Baalbek, raising voter turnout to 30 and 40 percent during the day. Several people, including two members of the Internal Security Forces' Information Branch, were injured in Zahle during a raid conducted by a patrol from the branch, supported by a Lebanese Army unit, on a Hezbollah electoral office in the area on suspicion of bribery. Around 15 young men were present at the site during the raid. The permits of several representatives for the non-partisan Change list in the city of Baalbek disappeared. It was revealed that the person who hid the permits — and who was arrested by the security forces — was working for the Hezbollah list in the area.
