Beirut – Unable to be satisfied with the political quarantine imposed on former Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri more than two years ago, Saudi Arabia is trying to stand by the sidelines as it announced its intention to return to political life by actively competing in the local government elections scheduled for May 2025.
Saad Harri announced his plans during an event commemorating the anniversary of his father’s assassination.
However, Riyadh, who, together with Washington, imposes the highest protection on Lebanon, is trying to prevent Saad Hariri from participating in local government elections in the capital, Beirut.
Saudi Arabia’s veto reportedly includes al-Jamaa al-Islamia (Islamic group). This shows that Riyadh is determined to shape the city council.
The move necessarily means that Hariri will be banned from participating in the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2026.
It is noteworthy that former Prime Minister Najib Mikati tried to intervene and form a council of senior Beirut families and city councils representing nonpartisan figures, but his initiative was hampered.
As for the Shiite duo Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, it is clear that they have committed more to this option in light of the continued hostile escalation they face and the major challenges they face, as they have faced.
In 2010, Hezbollah’s Martian Secretary Saied Hassannasrala proposed to the Navi, the council president, in his ability as head of the Amal movement, that by presenting a joint list of candidates, the possibility of running in local government elections.
This understanding was therefore combined in a written agreement consisting of eight provisions and became the reference point for Shia duo in elections for each local government.
In an interview, Berry emphasized that he would keep the election on time and confirmed that it was to postpone it.
Regarding the local elections in Beirut, Beli emphasized the need to maintain equality between Muslims and Christians in the Capital City Council.
“All parties must strive to achieve this goal and not compromise,” Beli said. Beli focuses efforts on all parties involved in the Beirut city elections to achieve a consensus leading to parity, helping to revitalize the city’s work.
Beli warned against sectarian rhetoric used by several political forces (more than anything in the Lebanese army) that wanted the Capital Council to be divided into Eastern and Western districts.
Furthermore, Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Delian emphasized the need to maintain diversity in Beirut, and emphasized that the Islamist party is not working to rule out Christian elements in the capital.
President Joseph Orn and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that local government and mayoral elections will take place on time, and that postponement will be a political and constitutional setback for Lebanon.
In the past, Hariri played a major role in achieving the consensus list in Beirut as a major political player in the Sunni community, so what councils will Washington and Riyadh, who are very bravely interfering with all Lebanese issues?