Battered by war and economic crisis, Lebanon holds first local elections in almost 10 years

HARET HREIK Lebanon AP Lebanese voted Sunday in the country s first local elections in almost a decade months after a U S -brokered ceasefire ended a war between Israel and Hezbollah The first round of voting which is taking place by region was in the Mount Lebanon districts including Beirut s battered southern suburbs where Hezbollah headquarters are located and much of their leadership including veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah were killed in Israeli airstrikes during the -month war The polls for mayors and municipal councils though not as key as Lebanon s parliamentary electoral process set for are a barometer of how much the devastating war that left over people dead and entire neighborhoods destroyed has impacted backing for politicians and parties especially in the south where Hezbollah and allies are strong Hezbollah and fellow Shitte party the Amal Movement are expected to win bulk votes for municipal councils and mayors in Beirut s southern suburbs Flags of the parties and members wearing green and yellow paraphernalia were present outside the polling stations assisting supporters wanting to cast their vote for the parties candidates The voting also took place in citizens schools near the wreckage of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes Lebanon s cash-strapped ruling body has been scrambling to secure international funds for the reconstruction which the World Bank estimates at over billion Municipal elections were supposed to have taken place years ago but the governing body had postponed them three times including once over budgetary constraints Voters reported they were especially concerned with rebuilding their homes and livelihoods Mohammad Awali a candidate running for the Haret Hreik municipality reported his local council has a great responsibility especially given the extensive destruction that occurred in our area Source