Geagea told municipal vote hinges on south inclusion, says Berri

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri asserted that municipal elections in Lebanon would not proceed without the inclusion of the southern regions, where ongoing exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah occur daily. This statement came as a rebuttal to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who suggested on Tuesday that the elections could go ahead without the southern areas, attributing election delays to Hezbollah and its allies.

Berri responded strongly to Geagea’s remarks, interpreting them as a push towards federalism, and emphasized, “the municipal vote will not be held without the south.” This exchange highlights the tension and disagreements affecting the electoral process in Lebanon.

Previously, in April of the last year, Lebanese legislators had extended the tenure of municipal councils and other local offices for an additional year. Geagea criticized any further delays, stating that prolonging the terms again would constitute a “crime against Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”