Doha: Lebanon concludes on Saturday the fourth and final phase of its municipal and mukhtar elections, taking place in the southern region of the country. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during a visit to the southern town of Jezzine, emphasized the importance of civic participation, saying that taking part in building the Lebanon of tomorrow for future generations is both a duty and a responsibility. He extended his congratulations to candidates elected unopposed and offered early congratulations to those set to win at the ballot box.

According to Qatar News Agency, the elections began on May 4 in Mount Lebanon Governorate, followed by North Lebanon and Akkar on May 11. On May 18, voting took place in Beirut, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. Today’s vote in South Lebanon and Nabatieh marks the conclusion of a four-week electoral schedule divided by governorates.

These elections come amid continued Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and in the shadow of the destruction wrought by the October 2023 war in the south, further compounding hardships for local residents.