"Al-Liwaa" wrote: Amid a highly complex state of anticipation and waiting, and in light of the possibility of a soon-to-be-scheduled cabinet session, the electoral scene begins to take shape. There is a highly divided alignment against Hezbollah in several lists and blocs that are historically aligned with March 14, as well as candidates who barely intersect with the civil action or the civil society movement or "17 October revolutionaries." This contrasts with extremely dangerous rhetoric, expressed this time by President Nabih Berri, who launched the electoral machine in Maysaloon to contest elections in the second southern district and in various districts. He noted that Lebanon is facing one of the most important electoral events since the Taif Accord, which could be the most dangerous in Lebanese history, considering the external interventions cloaked in glittering titles, through the cheap exploitation of the people’s pain and livelihood, revealing a campaign with bags full of hard currency, where $30 million was spent in the Sidon-Zahrani district to undermine the AMAL movement.
Moreover, electorally significant is the emergence of the "Beirut Faces" list, aimed at achieving a parliamentary majority with their allies and continuing to violate Beirut, transforming it and its residents into a forsaken land. They indeed aspire to gain this majority to be able to amend the constitution, undermine Lebanon’s Arab identity, legalize illegal weapons, and elect a new president of the republic who aligns with their will. Former Minister Dr. Khaled Qabani announced the list he leads under the name "Beirut Faces" from the Riviera Hotel, in the presence of President Fouad Siniora and a crowd from Beirut's families. The list includes: Khaled Qabani, Bashir Itani, Majed Damashqia, Zeina Al-Masri, Lina Omar Al-Tanir, Abdul Rahman Al-Mubashir, Ahmad Ayash, Faisal Afif Al-Sayigh, Michel Falakh, and Georges Haddad.
In light of the birth of "fighting lists," Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul-Latif Deryan called on Lebanese in his message on the occasion of Ramadan to "go together to the elections to produce alternatives.” He added: “We are witnessing the destruction or dismantling of everything that the Lebanese have built over 100 years, standing against all attempts at reform. There is a demolition of the judiciary, the banking sector, and Lebanon's relations with Arab countries, alongside desperate attempts to target Lebanon’s identity and affiliation, and an assault on the constitution and the principle of separation of powers.”
He stated: “There is remarkable solidarity with Lebanon from Arabs and the world despite their resentment due to the strange seizure and blatant corruption, and no one wants to help without being keen that any assistance does not reach the authorities who stonewall the heads of individuals.” Thus, the political atmosphere has intensified with electoral campaigns and list registrations, the latest yesterday being the list of the AMAL movement, Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement, and MP Talal Arslan in the Baabda district, against the Progressive Socialist Party, the Lebanese Forces, and some independents.
Meanwhile, the opposing civil society forces are fraught with disputes and are moving toward forming multiple lists in each district, diluting their impact and winning potential. The judicial path remains on the same escalated course, as it was reported that Judge Ghada Aoun appealed the decision to release the brother of the Governor of the Central Bank, Raja Salameh, and referred the file to the Public Prosecution's office. He will remain detained until a decision on his release is made early next week. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission awaits the fate of the capital control law draft in the parliamentary council, where a legislative session is expected to discuss it this month in the face of clear opposition to its contents from some political forces.
The IMF delegation met yesterday with the Board of Directors of the Association of Banks in Lebanon and, according to a statement from the association, "the proposed rescue plan and restructuring of the banking sector were discussed. The bank association emphasized the necessity of working to protect deposits within any accord to preserve essential private wealth and revitalize the growth wheel. The bank association made clear to the delegation the importance of pushing towards implementing the reform path, which forms a cornerstone and an absolute priority for exiting the crisis."
In this context, MP Nicolas Nahas (advisor to the Prime Minister overseeing negotiations with the IMF and officially the proposer of the capital control law) stated that "the negotiations with the IMF are progressing in the right direction, and Lebanon has no option but to proceed with the required reforms." He clarified that "the capital control law does not address the outstanding financial problem; rather its goal is to limit the outflow of existing funds, not new funds, nor does it relate to deposits and people’s money or the restructuring of the banking sector covered by the recovery plan; it is about building a new economic system that works to attract funds to improve the economy."
On this note, a cabinet session is also expected to convene next Wednesday at 12 noon, with its location and agenda to be determined on Monday. The location of the forthcoming cabinet session has not yet been defined pending the arrangement of crucial items to be included, some of which were postponed from the previous session. Political sources familiar with the matter told "Al-Liwaa" that there will be intensive government sessions this month before the electoral deadline. There are indications that the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister are keen to pass urgent files as much as possible; otherwise, everything will be postponed until after the elections, with some appointments likely being issued and the file appointing deans at the Lebanese University awaiting a certain agreement.
The same sources indicated that starting mid this month, the intensity of fiery electoral speeches is expected to rise, alongside movements targeting the same goal. In this tense atmosphere, the heat of the electoral battles or wars has begun, as the deadline for registering lists ends the day after tomorrow, Monday, April 4, 2022.
MP Mohammad Raad, head of the "Resistance Loyalty Bloc," stated during a political meeting in the town of Arnoun: "No one can defeat us in Lebanon as long as we adhere to the golden equation of the army, people, and resistance, and through our experience which has borne fruit and blossomed to achieve liberation, security, and stability for our country, we have presented this equation to achieve victory." He added: "We are a protective element and a guarantee for this country and its security, and our concern has always been and will remain to protect Lebanon and what harms our people."
Yes, there is corruption in the state, and we want to continue working on the reform process, but the method of confronting corruption in the state differs from the method of confronting the enemy threatening us with arms. Hezbollah cannot fight the corrupt in our country, but it can tighten control over them and hold them accountable. Conversely, MP Wael Abou Faour, a member of the “Democratic Gathering,” affirmed during a political gathering at the Kamal Jumblatt Cultural and Social Center in Rashaya that "the electoral battle in Rashaya and western Bekaa is part of the national battle for Lebanon’s independent decision, for building the state, and for preventing the return of guardianship under any name." He said: "Attempts to besiege the Mukhtara have failed previously and will fail today. No matter what plots are hatched in the Syrian embassy with the resistance parties, the voice of the free people in the western Bekaa and Rashaya will topple these attempts and win for the dignity of the Bekaa, its freedom of choice, and its alignment with Lebanon’s Arabism, independence, and sovereignty."
In terms of registering and forming electoral lists, according to "Al-Liwaa," the second Baabda district list was finalized yesterday and will be registered on Monday (unless it has already been registered yesterday afternoon). It includes MP Alain Aoun, Fadi Abou Karam, and Shadi Waked for the Maronite seats (Free Patriotic Movement). MPs Dr. Fadi Alama and Ali Ammar for the two Shiite seats, and Farouk Al-Aawar for the Druze seat (Democratic Party). Yesterday, the completed "Together Towards Change" list was registered, which is the second list for the southern third district, with its eleven candidates being: Wafiq Rihan, Waseem Ghandoor, Ali Wahbi, Khalil Dib, Hassan Bazi, Ali Mourad, Elias Jaradi, Mohammad Qadaan, Firas Hamdan, Ibrahim Al-Abdallah, and Nizar Ramal. The list adopted the blue color.
The "Supporting State" list was also registered, which is the second list in the southern second district (Sour-Zahrani) after the Hope and Loyalty list led by House Speaker Nabih Berri. The incomplete "Supporting State" list includes Bushra Al-Khalil and Hassan Al-Khalil for the two Shiite seats in Sour, and Riyad Al-Asaad and Youssef Khalifa for the two Shiite seats in Zahrani. Additionally, the "We Are Change" list was registered in the first southern district (Sidon-Jouza), representing some of the October 17 forces and includes candidates: Mohamed Fadi Al-Zareef, lawyer Suleiman Malik, engineer Hania Al-Za'atri, Brigadier Joseph Asmar, and Dr. Robert Khoury.
The "Our Bekaa Starts First" list was registered in Western Bekaa – Rashaya, comprising: retired Brigadier Mohamed Qaddoura, engineer Khaled Al-Aaskar, lawyer Dani Khater, lawyer Georges Aboud, and lawyer Ghannou As'ad. The completed "Independent Heart of Lebanon" list was registered for the Kesrouan-Ftouh and Jbeil district with its eight candidates, which include: for Kesrouan: Fred Hekal Khazen, Chamel Roukoz, Shaker Salama, Salim Al-Hani, and Tawfiq Saloum. For Jbeil: Emil Noufal, Tony Khairallah, and Ahmad Hani Al-Muqaddad. The list adopted the navy blue color.
Additionally, the "Nation’s Cry" list was registered in the Kesrouan-Ftouh – Jbeil district, including: in Kesrouan: Niamat Afra, Selim Al-Sayyagh, Wajdi Tabat, Josephine Zghib, and Julie Al-Dekach. In Jbeil: Noufal Noufal, Najwa Bassil, and Amir Al-Muqaddad. The Free Patriotic Movement’s list in Jbeil-Kesrouan ftouh includes: Simon Abi Ramia, Walid Khoury, Raed Buro, Nada Al-Boustani, Rabi' Zghib, Wael Salama, Antoine Kraidy, and Emad Azar.
A new complete list "We Are Change" has emerged in the first southern district Sidon-Jouza, comprising: retired Brigadier Joseph Asmar and lawyer Suleiman Malik for the two Maronite seats, Dr. Robert Khoury for the Catholic seat, engineer Hania Al-Za'atri and Mohamed Al-Zareef for the two Sunni seats. Former MP Fares Said will announce his electoral list tomorrow, Sunday, from the town of Qartaba, including himself, former MP Mansour Ghanem Al-Bon, lawyer Mashhoor Haidar Ahmad, actor As'ad Rashdan, and Bahjat Salama.
A joint list has been agreed upon for the second Beirut district from civil society groups comprising: Ibrahim Menyemna: Sunni - "Homes Resist." Hassan Sano: Sunni - "Ours." Waddah Al-Sadiq: Sunni - "I am a Red Line." Sara Yassin: Sunni - "My City." Imane Tabara: Sunni - "National Bloc." Rachdi Qabani: Shia - "People's Observatory to Combat Corruption." Mahmoud Faqih: Shia - "National Alliance.” Former Bar Association head Melhem Khalaf: Orthodox - Independent. Moreover, the "Change and Revolution Coalition" and the "Union of Akkar Revolutionaries" finalized their electoral list "Akkar Change," completed with seven candidates: for the three Sunni seats: Dr. Berri Al-Asaad, Dr. Mohammad Badr, and engineer Khaled Al-Alaoush. For the two Orthodox seats: Dr. Wafa Jamal and Dr. Loris Al-Ra'i. For the Maronite seat: media figure Edgar Zahir. For the Alawite seat: Dr. Jinane Hamdan.
Meanwhile, Father Elian Nasrallah, priest of the Qaa parish, announced his withdrawal from running for the Catholic seat in the third Bekaa district "in response to the wishes of the spiritual authorities, Patriarch Joseph Absi and Bishop Elias Rahal."
**Angry Protests at the Ministry of Energy**
On the ground, in an angry move, activists stormed yesterday the Ministry of Energy and Water building in Corniche Al-Nahr, protesting against the continuous power cuts and the rise in the cost of generator subscriptions after the increase in the price of diesel oil. Protesters wrote phrases on the walls of the ministry building while chanting slogans demanding accountability for those responsible for waste and corruption. Activists also shared a video on social media showing a female activist tearing up President Aoun's picture found on the wall of the Ministry of Energy. By tearing it, the activist stated that "it does not honor us nor represent us." Other videos showed exchanges between activists and a ministry official, in addition to an altercation with a member of the Internal Security Forces and one of the activists.
Later, supporters of the "Free Patriotic Movement" posted pictures of the activist, claiming that her name is Maylene Sarkis, that she is 33 years old, and demanded her accountability, arguing that this is not the first time she has insulted a state symbol, citing her previous tweets, and stating that she belongs to the "Lebanese Forces" party.
**Environmental Crisis**
Environmentally, City Blue Company halted waste collection in Baabda, the southern suburbs, and Mount Lebanon as its allocations from the Central Bank have not been disbursed... risking a smothering crisis in the region with Ramadan approaching.
**352 New COVID-19 Cases**
In health news, the Ministry of Health announced in its daily report the registration of 352 new COVID-19 infections and 4 deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the cumulative number to 1,092,509 confirmed laboratory cases since February 21, 2020.
