'We deserve a say': Sit-in in Beirut for Lebanese diaspora voting rights
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on June 30 blocked a proposed amendment that would have granted expatriates that right, as was the case in the 2018 and 2022 elections.
The issue has since become a flashpoint in Parliament. Berri seeks to enforce a clause in the current electoral law, passed in 2017, under which six additional MPs would be elected solely by diaspora voters. The problem: the law is vague and does not clearly define how to implement the mechanism for those six seats.
On the ground, independent MPs, members of the National Bloc and dozens of citizens made their voices heard. Among the MPs present were Cynthia Zarazir, Waddah Sadek, Najat Saliba, Halima Kaakour, Michel Douaihy and Ibrahim Mneimneh.
'The Lebanese diaspora makes up 25 percent of the electorate, but their voices and rights are not worth less,' said Lynn Harfoush, a National Bloc member. 'We insist that the speaker put this issue back on the agenda,' she added, claiming that the parties pushing for the six-seat restriction — namely Hezbollah, the Amal Movement and the Free Patriotic Movement — are 'the ones who would lose in a full diaspora vote.'
'In Lebanon or abroad, our rights are the same,' added fellow Bloc member Philippe Edde.
Among the crowd was Lamia, an expatriate who has lived in France for over 35 years. She stood with her sister and daughter, holding a sign that read '128 not 6.'
'Yes, we are expatriates, but we are Lebanese above all,' she said. 'Our departure wasn't a choice — it was forced by the situation in the country,' she added, reaffirming that her 'roots remain anchored in Lebanon.' She concluded: 'We have a voice. We have a role in shaping our society, and we have the right to participate in building Lebanon's future — if not for ourselves, then for our children.'
Flyers promoting an online petition were handed out at the scene by members of Change Lebanon, one of 16 groups behind the campaign. The petition, addressed to MPs, rejects the proposal to assign just six parliamentary seats to the diaspora. It has garnered more than 15,000 signatures so far.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Libnan
23 minutes ago
- Ya Libnan
President Aoun says Lebanon determined to disarm Hezbollah
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that he was determined to disarm Hezbollah, a step it has come under heavy US pressure to take, despite the group's protests that doing so would serve Israeli goals. Hezbollah and Israel fought a two-month war last year that left the militant group badly weakened, though it retains part of its arsenal. Israel has kept up its air strikes on Hezbollah targets despite a November ceasefire, and has threatened to continue them until the group has been disarmed. In a speech on Thursday, Aoun said Beirut was demanding 'the extension of the Lebanese state's authority over all its territory, the removal of weapons from all armed groups including Hezbollah and their handover to the Lebanese army'. He added it was every politician's duty 'to seize this historic opportunity and push without hesitation towards affirming the army and security forces' monopoly on weapons over all Lebanese territory… in order to regain the world's confidence'. Under the November ceasefire, Hezbollah was to withdraw its fighters north of the Litani river, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border. Israel was meant to withdraw all its troops from Lebanon, but has kept them in five areas it deems strategic. The truce was based on a two-decade-old UN Security Council resolution that said only the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers should possess weapons in the country's south, and that all non-state groups should be disarmed. However, that resolution went unfulfilled for years, with Hezbollah's arsenal before the latest war seen as far superior to the army's, and the group wielding extensive political influence. Aoun took over the presidency in January ending a two-year vacancy — his election by lawmakers made possible in part by the shifting balance of power in the wake of the conflict. On Wednesday, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem , who fled to Tehran last October said that 'anyone calling today for the surrender of weapons, whether internally or externally, on the Arab or the international stage, is serving the Israeli project'. He accused US envoy Tom Barrack, who has visited Lebanon several times in recent months, of using 'intimidation and threats' in his talks with senior officials with the aim of 'aiding Israel'. Collapse or stability Israel has carried out near daily strikes in Lebanon in recent months, targeting what it says are Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, but the group has refrained from striking back. Israel launched several strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in the south and east on Thursday, targeting what it said were sites used by Hezbollah to manufacture and store missiles. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the targets included 'Hezbollah's biggest precision missile manufacturing site', and the military said it had hit 'infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons' in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. In his speech, Aoun said Lebanon was at 'a crucial stage that does not tolerate any sort of provocation from any side'. 'For the thousandth time, I assure you that my concern in having a (state) weapons monopoly comes from my concern to defend Lebanon's sovereignty and borders, to liberate the occupied Lebanese territories and build a state that welcomes all its citizens,' he said, addressing Hezbollah's supporters as an 'essential pillar' of society. Lebanon has proposed modifications to 'ideas' submitted by the United States on Hezbollah's disarmament, Aoun added, and a plan would be discussed at a cabinet meeting next week to 'establish a timetable for implementation'. Aoun also demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of Lebanese prisoners and 'an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities'. 'Today, we must choose between collapse and stability,' he said. Hezbollah is the only group that held on to its weapons after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, doing so in the name of 'resistance' against Israel, which occupied south Lebanon until 2000. Lebanon has also committed to disarming Palestinian militant groups that control the country's refugee camps. A huge Burden for Lebanon Hezbollah's actions and influence are widely seen as a significant burden on Lebanon, contributing to the country's instability and economic hardship. The organization's military activities, particularly its conflict with Israel, have had devastating consequences for Lebanon, including displacement, casualties, and economic losses. Additionally, Hezbollah's political dominance and resistance to international involvement in Lebanon's economic crisis further exacerbate the situation. Here's a breakdown of why Hezbollah is considered a burden: 1. Military Conflict and Instability: 2. Economic Impact: 3. Political Obstacles: 4. Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis: In summary, Hezbollah's military activities, political influence, and resistance to international involvement have significantly contributed to Lebanon's instability, economic hardship, and humanitarian crisis France24/AFP/ YL
LBCI
13 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel names UAE high-risk zone, keeps northern border on alert amid rising tensions
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Israel's National Security Council has placed the United Arab Emirates on its list of high-risk countries for Israeli citizens, citing increased threats of attacks. The council assigned the UAE a threat level three, prompting Israel's Foreign Ministry to order diplomats and their families stationed there to leave immediately. According to the council's report, the move is based on intelligence indicating that Iran and its proxies are planning operations targeting Israelis and Israeli-affiliated sites in response to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The warning also cited what it called global incitement against Israel and growing support for Palestinians around the world as contributing factors. In light of the report, Israeli officials urged citizens in Dubai and other locations abroad to exercise extreme caution during holidays and on Saturdays. Travelers were advised to avoid wearing clothing with Hebrew writing or symbols identifying them as Jewish or Israeli, stay away from Israeli and Jewish institutions, and steer clear of large public gatherings involving Israeli nationals. Domestically, Israel has kept its northern borders with Lebanon and Syria on high alert. Security along the Lebanese frontier remains particularly tense amid near-daily reports warning of potential attacks or kidnapping attempts by Hezbollah. A recent report by Israel's Channel 12 claimed the group is preparing for renewed hostilities, fueling public concern in northern Israeli communities and increasing pressure on the government to bolster civilian protection measures. These mounting concerns come as fighting in Gaza continues without a breakthrough on the proposed prisoner exchange deal. Despite U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's efforts to push forward a truce that could end the conflict, no progress has been reported. Meanwhile, U.S. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla is visiting Israel for high-level meetings with Israeli security and defense officials to assess the broader regional situation. In a symbolic gesture before ending his tenure, Kurilla visited the Western Wall in the Al-Aqsa compound, where he offered a prayer for Israeli soldiers and hostages alongside a group of rabbis.
LBCI
13 hours ago
- LBCI
Political deliberations: Lebanese Cabinet to tackle controversial arms control
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi All eyes are on the Lebanese Cabinet's upcoming session scheduled for Tuesday, with a key agenda item set to address the contentious issue of exclusive control over weapons. The session may proceed in the absence of Ministers Yassine Jaber and Mohammad Haidar, both of whom are close to Hezbollah and currently abroad on pre-scheduled travel. Ministers are expected to continue discussions on the implementation of measures to assert state sovereignty across Lebanese territory using only national military forces. A government statement is anticipated following the session, reaffirming the principle of arms exclusivity under the Lebanese state, while also calling on Israel to cease its ongoing violations, withdraw from Lebanese territory, and release detainees. Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal is also expected to attend the session to present an overview of the Lebanese Armed Forces' efforts related to this matter and outline possible next steps toward arms collection. Following Tuesday's meeting, the issue may be referred to the Higher Defense Council for the development of an appropriate implementation mechanism. Leading up to the session, internal political consultations have intensified. The latest of these took place Thursday evening at Baabda Palace, where Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, met with President Joseph Aoun. According to LBCI's sources, Hezbollah expressed concern over recent presidential rhetoric, particularly references to the "withdrawal of Hezbollah's weapons." The meeting, described as constructive and flexible, was focused on clarifying key points and avoiding statements that could provoke internal tension. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of Israel's adherence to the ceasefire and withdrawal from Lebanese territory. With only days remaining before the Cabinet session, Lebanese leaders are expected to continue intensive consultations in hopes of reaching common ground on the arms exclusivity clause.
