Hajjar says elections to continue in South even if Israeli attacks occur

Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar visited Sidon on Tuesday and hoped the municipal and mayoral elections in the South on Saturday will be an occasion for the state to “restore its presence and stress its sovereignty in the South.”

Asked about possible Israeli attacks during the electoral process, Hajjar said: “I reiterate that the Lebanese state’s decision is clear and that it is not possible to bargain on its sovereignty over the land of the sacred South and all southern villages.”

“Certainly a part of the South is still occupied and Israeli attacks and violations are continuing, but the Lebanese state and government, starting with the president, the PM and the interior minister, are carrying out the necessary contacts to halt the violations in general, but specifically during the elections period in the South and during the counting of votes and the issuance of results,” Hajjar added.

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.”

“Of course we have our vision for the distribution of polling stations, how to deal with the movement of voters and the deployment of security forces. Based on thism we hope the security plan will have a positive impact leading to a successful electoral day,” Hajjar went on to say.