First phase of Lebanon’s Municipal and Mayorship Elections concludes in Mount Lebanon

MOUNT LEBANON — The initial phase of Lebanon’s Municipal and Mayorship Elections, the first in nine years, concluded smoothly in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, with authorities reporting moderate voter turnout and an orderly process overall.

In Harat Hreik, the Family Gathering Coalition, backed by MP Alain Aoun, secured a victory over candidates supported by the Free Patriotic Movement, according to preliminary unofficial results.

In Dbayeh, the list led by Nabeh Tameh, endorsed by the Kataeb Party and Lebanese Forces Party, won the municipal elections. Similarly, the Rising Jounieh list, led by Faisal Afram and supported by the Lebanese Forces Party and Kataeb Party, swept all 18 seats in Jounieh’s municipal council, as announced by Fred Hikel Khazen’s electoral team.

Polling stations closed at 7:00 PM, followed by immediate vote counting overseen by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajar. Voter turnout rates varied across districts:

• Keserwan: 60%
• Byblos (Jbeil): 57%
• Chouf: 45%
• Aley: 42%
• Baabda: 39%
• North Metn (Matn): 39%

Prime Minister Salam hailed the elections as an opportunity to “revitalize local governance’s developmental role” and praised the Interior Ministry’s preparedness. Interior Minister Hajar described the process as a “national democratic celebration” that united Lebanese citizens in Mount Lebanon, emphasizing that the voting proceeded peacefully without significant security incidents or undue pressure.