What's happened
Lebanese politicians, including Saad Hariri, reaffirm plans for May 10 parliamentary elections despite calls for delay over security issues. Hariri's supporters gathered in Beirut, while authorities emphasize the election's scheduled date amid regional tensions and Hezbollah's weakened position after recent conflicts.
What's behind the headline?
The upcoming Lebanese elections are a pivotal moment for the country's political landscape. Hariri's return to the campaign trail signals a potential shift in Sunni representation, which has been fractured since his party's absence in 2022. The scheduled vote on May 10 will test Lebanon's stability amid regional tensions and Hezbollah's weakened influence after the 2024 conflict with Israel. The government’s insistence on holding elections despite calls for delay underscores a desire to maintain constitutional legitimacy, but security concerns remain a significant obstacle. The regional context, including Israeli airstrikes and U.S.-backed pressure on Hezbollah to disarm, will shape the election's outcome and Lebanon’s future trajectory. The election's success or failure will likely influence Lebanon's internal stability and its relations with regional powers, making it a critical event to watch.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that several politicians, including Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, oppose delaying the elections due to security concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has conducted airstrikes. Berri emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional timelines, despite calls for postponement. Reuters highlights that Hariri's supporters gathered in Beirut, signaling his continued influence and the potential for a political comeback. Both sources agree on the scheduled date of May 10 and the regional security challenges, but differ slightly in tone—The New Arab focusing on political resistance to delay, and Reuters emphasizing Hariri's support base and regional tensions.
How we got here
Lebanon's last parliamentary election was in May 2022, marked by low turnout and public anger over economic collapse. Hariri, a key Sunni leader, stepped back from politics in 2022, citing Iran's influence and Hezbollah's role. The upcoming elections are seen as crucial for Lebanon's political future, with security concerns in the south due to Israeli airstrikes influencing debates over postponement.
Go deeper
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Nabih Berri is a Lebanese politician who has been the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon since 1992. He heads the Amal Movement.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.