Report: Lebanon receives security guarantees for south elections
The Lebanese state has been told by influential countries, topped by the United States, that there are security “guarantees” for carrying out the municipal and mayoral elections in south Lebanon on Saturday, despite the daily Israeli attacks that the South is witnessing, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Wednesday.
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Tuesday and “their discussions focused on Saturday’s juncture and the need to exert utmost efforts to secure its success, amid the presence of fears that Israel might stage military actions,” the daily added.
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar visited Sidon on Tuesday and hoped the municipal and mayoral elections in the South will be an occasion for the state to “restore its presence and stress its sovereignty in the South.”
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.”
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