Report: FPM Might not Withdraw from Beirut Municipal List

Efforts are ongoing to “deal” with the conditions set by the Free Patriotic Movement to get twelve mayoral posts instead of eight for its candidates in the municipal elections that are set to take place in Beirut on Sunday, An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday.

“Things will not reach a dead end and the FPM will not withdraw from the 'Beirutis List',” unnamed sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement launched its candidates list named the "Beirutis List," which includes candidates from the March 14 alliance and the rival camp of March 8.

The list enclosed the FPM, Lebanese Forces, Kataeb Party, Progressive Socialist Party and the Amal Movement.

The FPM has threatened to withdraw from the electoral list following a dispute over the number of mayors.

But reports have said that the announcement has been delayed until Wednesday when the FPM president and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil is expected to make a statement about the municipal polls during a press conference.

The four-stage municipal elections will start in Beirut and Bekaa-al-Hermel districts on May 8, while the elections in Mount Lebanon will be held on May 15.

Elections in south Lebanon and Nabatieh are set for May 22 and north Lebanon and Akkar for May 29.

Two lists have emerged in Beirut to contend that of MP Saad Hariri, the Mustaqbal chief.

A new secular group named "Members of Citizens" of which former Labor Minister Charbel Nahas is a member and the "Beirut Madinati" coalition.

D.A.

M.T.