Latest news with #FouadMakhzoumi
Ya Libnan
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
MP Fouad Makhzoumi calls Barrak's position a 'wake up call'. Urges the state to be courageous in its decision on illegal arms
MP Fouad Makhzoumi said in a statement that 'the position announced by Ambassador Tom Barak regarding Lebanon should be a wake-up call for the state, so that it can take action and act as a decision-maker, not as a hesitant mediator, hiding behind this or that pretext. Greater Lebanon, which we are proud to belong to and defend, requires courageous action at a fateful stage. What is required of the state is to withdraw all illegal weapons, effectively extend its authority over its land and borders, and dismantle the illegal military and security structures. Otherwise, God forbid, Lebanon will be on the political and economic waiting list. The Lebanese are waiting for courageous decisions from their state that go beyond the equations of buying time and managing the crisis.' Existential threat Makhzoumi's comments come after US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned, in an interview with the Emirati newspaper The National, that Lebanon risks falling into the hands of regional powers unless Beirut moves to resolve the issue of Hezbollah's arms. He pointed out that 'Lebanon needs to resolve this issue, otherwise it could face an existential threat,' adding, 'Israel on one side, Iran on the other, and now Syria is emerging very quickly. If Lebanon doesn't act, it will return to the Levant.' He added, 'The Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we have to act. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. This frustrates me too.' The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia was severely weakened in its war with Israel. The ceasefire that was agreed last November between Israel and Hezbollah was based on UN resolution 1701 and 1559 which call for disarming all militia in Lebanon. Following his election last January president Joseph Aoun pledged to make the Lebanese army the only entity allowed to bear arms but he has been overly cautious and reluctant in taking the ultimate decision of disarming Hezbollah for fear of a civil war. The majority of the Lebanese have been pressing Aoun to act in resolving the issue of Hezbollah arms and many leaders threatened to pull out of the government if Aoun does not act.
LBCI
19-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Makhzoumi: Beirutis preserved power-sharing, committed to partnership through the law
MP Fouad Makhzoumi, head of the National Dialogue Party, reaffirmed the commitment of Beirut's residents to the country's longstanding principle of power-sharing, saying they have upheld this balance for over 70 years. Speaking at a press conference, Makhzoumi criticized the government's recent decision to transfer the Beirut municipal council's powers to the governor, calling it a move to strip the council of its authority. "We must affirm our national partnership through the law," he said, stressing that legal and democratic processes remain the foundation for preserving coexistence. Makhzoumi emphasized unity and cooperation among all residents of the capital. "If we work together, we will succeed. Beirut will once again be the beacon of the East and a destination for Arab tourism," he said, expressing gratitude to the city's citizens and reaffirming solidarity with them. "Beirut deserves it—and so do you." He noted that all communities contributed to the electoral process and that no side emerged as a sole winner or loser. "Beirut won through the participation of all its children," he said, extending a hand to all political groups for collaboration. To Beirut's residents, Makhzoumi affirmed: "You have proven yourselves to be the true guarantors of Beirut's coexistence. You were and will remain the most protective of the city's image. You succeeded in a critical test, rising above all attempts at confusion and division."
Nahar Net
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 May 2025, 13:23 A list backed by most political parties won all 24 seats of Beirut's municipality on Sunday, maintaining Christian-Muslim parity on the capital's municipal council. Political rivals such as Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces came together to form the list, arguing that such a temporary coalition was necessary to preserve equal Christian-Muslim power-sharing. The list was also backed by the Amal Movement, the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party, the Hunchak Party and MP Fouad Makhzoumi. A rival list was formed by MP Nabil Bader, the Jamaa Islamiya and a figure who was considered close to al-Mustaqbal Movement. Four other lists were also formed in the capital, including one by the Beirut Madinati civil society group, which won one third of the capital's votes in the 2016 polls. Voter turnout reached 21% in Beirut, 44.57% in Zahle, 41.11% in West Bekaa, 37.70% in Rashaya, 34.15% in Hermel and 48.88% in Baalbek. The Lebanese Forces meanwhile announced its victory in the Zahle municipal polls against a list backed by all the other political forces and families in an electoral battle in which the Free Patriotic Movement gave its supporters the freedom to vote for either list. LF leader Samir Geagea hailed a 'major victory' in the city, saying 'Zahle has chosen progress, change, civilization, sovereignty, martyrs and Lebanon.' A Hezbollah spokesman meanwhile said the party and its ally the Amal Movement won in the city of Baalbek, the city of Hermel and in 19 towns in the Bekaa.
Saba Yemen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Preliminary Results of municipal elections in Bekaa & Beirut Released
Beirut - (Saba): Preliminary results from the third phase of the local elections, which covered the Bekaa and Beirut, showed a victory for the Lebanese Forces Party in Zahle, the Socialist Party in Rashaya, and Hezbollah and the Amal Movement in Baalbek and Hermel. News reports on Monday indicated that after most polling stations were counted, the results in the Beirut municipality showed a victory for the Lebanese Forces and Fouad Makhzoumi (12 Christian and 12 Muslim members). Beirut recorded a low voter turnout of around 20%. In Zahle, the capital of the Bekaa, the results showed a victory for the Lebanese Forces Party. In Baalbek-Hermel, the Hezbollah-Amal Movement alliance won in all the towns in which they ran. In Rashaya, according to preliminary figures, the Progressive Socialist Party won. The Bekaa witnessed higher voter turnout than Beirut, with voter turnout in areas such as Zahle reaching 46.25%, West Bekaa 42.95%, and Baalbek 48.81%. It's worth noting that the third round of local elections took place amidst a number of administrative complaints that were addressed, without any serious security incidents, and with close monitoring by the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Nahar Net
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Concerns over capital's Christian seats as Beirut and Bekaa vote in municipal polls
by Naharnet Newsdesk 3 hours Lebanon held the third round of municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, amid concerns over Christian representation in Beirut's municipal council. Sunday's vote was being held in the governorates of Beirut, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel. At noon voter turnout was 6.20% in Beirut, 14.86% in Baalbek-Hermel, 14.95% in the Bekaa, 15.89% in the Zahle district, 13.37% in Rashaya and 14.04% in West Bekaa. Clashes were meanwhile reported at a polling station in Zahle and another in Saadnayel, prompting the intervention of security forces. The country's main political parties have come together to form a unified electoral list for Beirut's municipal vote under the excuse of preserving Christian-Muslim parity in the 24-member municipal council. The list comprises candidates nominated by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party and the Hunchak Party. MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya have meanwhile formed a rival list that is headed by a figure close to al-Mustaqbal Movement, which has suspended its political and electoral participation until further notice. The Beirut Madinati civil society coalition, which garnered one third of the votes in 2016, has meanwhile formed a third list. Three other lists are also competing in Beirut, among them a leftist-leaning one supported by former minister Charbel Nahas. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed after casting his vote in the capital that the capital's residents are "capable of guaranteeing everyone's representation in the municipal council."
