War on Lebanon
Israeli forces carried out massive airstrikes on Thursday, targeting Mhaibib, Qlaileh, Bouday, Mahmoudieh, and Markaba. An Israeli drone strike injured nine people in Mansouri. Israeli forces also targeted Yater, Ain Baal, Bint Jbeil, Houla, Beit Yahoun, Shamaa, Aytaroun, Kfarkela, and Naqoura. Israeli soldiers opened fire on citizens in two separate instances. At least five people were killed in total.
The Iraqi Prime Minister announced $40 million in reconstruction aid to Lebanon and Gaza.
Lebanon celebrates the Resistance and Liberation Day holiday today, marking the day Israeli forces withdrew from South Lebanon in the year 2000.
Elections
Contested municipal elections were held in Beirut last week with three major competing lists1 . The elections saw the major parties’ coalition, dubbed “Beirut Unites Us” winning 23 out of 24 seats while one seat was won by the Sunni-backed list “Beirut Loves You” breaking the concept of “parity” for the first time.2
Elections were held yesterday in the governorates of South Lebanon and Nabatieh, with many commentators describing the election as a “referendum” on Hezbollah. Close to 100 municipalities have been won by acclamation with no competing candidates against Hezbollah-Amal lists. Turnout ranged from 27% in the Bint Jbeil district to 41% in Jezzine and Nabatieh. Hezbollah-Amal lists won comfortably in most municipalities, while the coalition of FPM-Hezbollah-Amal won the contested election of the city of Jezzine.
The Hermel district governor was arrested for alleged violations relating to the municipal elections held last Sunday.
Economy
The Lebanese Central Bank confirmed its continued cooperation with the forensic audit being done by Alvarez & Marsal in addition to its coordination with the government in reviewing the proposed banking reform law.
The NSSF (Daman) announced a crackdown on companies employing fictitious employees3.
Abbas Visit
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited Lebanon this week and confirmed plans to disarm Palestinian factions in Lebanon, during a meeting with Prime Minister Salam. Abbas and Salam also asserted their rejection of Palestinian resettlement4 in Lebanon and the adherence to the right of return.
Abbas met with President Aoun and a joint statement was issued announcing joint committees to improve Palestinians’ conditions in Lebanon and affirming the Lebanese state’s “exclusive control over arms.”
Government & Parliament
Minister of Public Works Fayez Rasamny announced a plan to rehabilitate road and bridge networks across Lebanon.
The Constitutional Court issued a decree invalidating the rental reform law and the educational body framework law.
The Ministers of Justice and Interior announced the reinstatement of the Roumieh Prison Court to speed up processing and trials, with Interior Minister Hajjar describing the decision as a solution to prison overcrowding.
Parliamentary committees discussed proposal for major laws this week including a universal primary healthcare system and changes to the electoral law for Lebanese abroad.
Syria
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said that he met with Prime Minister Salam and discussed ways to alleviate suffering of Syrian prisoners in the overcrowded Roumieh prison.
In a press conference during his Cairo visit, President Aoun said that Lebanon and Syria are working on establishing joint committees to guarantee the “safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees” to their home country.
The Lebanese Army announced that Syrian authorities handed over a major suspect in the murder of Lebanese Forces politician Pascal Sleiman. Sleiman’s body was discovered in Syria last year and the case caused backlash in public opinion against Syrian refugees.
Judicial Investigations
Asharq Al-Awsat claimed, through a source, that the Lebanese judiciary received a letter from Libyan prosecutors demanding the release of Hannibal Gaddafi, son of slain Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi, who is currently imprisoned in Lebanon.
Judge Jamal Hajjar interrogated former Minister of Economy Amin Salam and his brother Karim in relation to the ongoing investigation of the minister on the charges of embezzlement and extortion.
Miscellaneous
Four people were killed in Shatila refugee camp following armed clashes between alleged drug trafficking gangs.
The first list included the major political parties: Hezbollah, Amal, Lebanese Forces, FPM (Tayyar), Kataeb, Tashnag, PSP (Eshtirake), AICP (Ahbash), and MP Fouad Makhzoumi
The second list was supported by the Muslim Brotherhood, MP Nabil Badr, and other local sunni groups. The list is alleged to be supported by the Future movement.
The third list was supported by a group of reformists and civil society groups
Parity (Monasafa) is a political custom in Lebanon splitting Beirut’s municipal board into 12 seats for Muslims and 12 seats for Christians. The lone winner from “Beirut Loves You” is Sunni while the loner loser from “Beirut Unites Us” is Christian hence the board now has 13 Musims and 11 Christians.
Employees registered on company records soley for the purpose of receiving Social Security medical benefits.
Also known as Tawteen (التوطين), a contoversial proposal to settle Palestinian refugees in Lebanon as Lebanese citizens.