Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced that he will not bring up the topic of postponing municipal elections to the Cabinet. He stated, "The law requires me to call for these elections on the first of April next, and to conduct them in May, especially since the term of current municipal councils across Lebanon ends on May 31, 2023, unless a law is passed by the Parliament to postpone them, and I will not be the one to propose the postponement. Municipal elections do not pose a burden on security; they generate good dynamics and serve as a contributing element to revitalize local authorities. I will keep the topic of municipal elections free from political wrangling." Mawlawi revealed that the Ministry of Interior is very well prepared administratively, "We are in the process of finalizing the voter lists to be published on February 1 next, with a correction process in March, which will close at the end of that month. I am assessing the final cost of these elections and their funding over the next two weeks, and I will meet in the coming days with representatives from donor countries to see if they can provide this funding. The only obstacle is securing the money, and it is less costly than parliamentary elections." Mawlawi's remarks came during his meeting with the head of the Lebanon Journalists Association, Joseph Qassifi, in his office at the ministry. The Minister noted that the security situation in the country is not declining, and the crime rate in 2022 is better than in 2021. Most crimes did not exceed petty theft and sporadic gunfire. He added, "The significant economic problems, financial crises, the Syrian displacement, and the lack of electricity are burdens on the Internal Security Forces. We are determined to follow through and confront these issues. They should compare our conditions with our performance. We strive to ensure all conditions and necessities for the Internal Security Forces to carry out their duties. They continue these missions, and if another country had gone through the same circumstances as Lebanon, its situation would be different and more difficult." Mawlawi dismissed the idea of the economic situation leading to a social explosion, considering it a tactic to create crisis for political investment. He clarified, "I do not see people finding it worthwhile to create a social explosion that complicates issues further and destroys what is left of the infrastructure." He indicated that "the situation regarding the banking crisis is still under control, and security forces are handling it wisely while maintaining security, and at the same time being supportive of all people, understanding the rights of depositors. I refused to be a guard at the doors of banks; this way, we managed to maintain security without any violent incidents. I will not place security forces in confrontation with citizens. Both sides suffer from the same pain."
Regarding the ongoing debate about the constitutional legitimacy of the last two governmental sessions and the issues they raised, Mawlawi said, "It is better for the people's interest to keep this matter away from sectarian and political frameworks and constitutional debates. Let’s focus on the citizens' interests; if we find it necessary and urgent, we will proceed with it. This does not at all relate to the notion that Muslims undermine Christians' powers. I hope political leaders keep this matter out of sectarian frameworks, and instill this idea in people's minds, focusing on their needs, and direct their efforts towards electing a new President. Because electing a new president will defuse the controversy." Mawlawi noted that "the judiciary must play its role in pursuing market players and speculators; security cannot keep up with the economy if the market does not correct itself. However, the essential conditions to overcome this situation involve electing a President, stable governance, reforms, closing wasteful outlets, and reforming the administration that wasted vast amounts of money. Without these and other steps, there will be no viable outcome." Mawlawi concluded by praising the role that journalists and media professionals play in raising awareness and highlighting the issues that Lebanon is suffering from.
During the meeting, Joseph Qassifi raised some issues regarding journalists and media professionals, and the facilitation that the Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Forces can provide to enable them to carry out their duties smoothly and without any hindrance, at least in areas that fall within the jurisdiction of the Ministry and its connected departments. Minister Mawlawi welcomed this and promised to review it and direct the necessary parties to implement it.
