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Forces of Change MPs appeal against municipal mandates' extension

Forces of Change MPs appeal against municipal mandates' extension

Security forces in front of the headquarters of the Constitutional Council during a sit-in organized on November 30, 2021. (Credit: C.A.)

BEIRUT — Forces of Change MPs Paula Yaacoubian, Melhem Khalaf, Halimé Kaakour and Ibrahim Mneimneh appealed before the Constitutional Council on Thursday against the law mandating the one year extension of the current municipal councils term, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The MPs then met with the Constitutional Council's president, Tanios Mechleb, according to the NNA.

The controversial law in question authorizes the extension of the terms of current municipal councils and mokhtars (local elected officials responsible for monitoring certain administrative tasks) to May 31, 2024.

The appeal submitted today bears the signatures of MPs Paula Yaacoubian, Melhem Khalaf, Elias Jaradeh, Najat Saliba, Yassine Yassine, Firas Hamdani, Halimé Kaakour, Ibrahim Mneimneh and Ashraf Rifi (Tripoli), who is a former minister and not considered part of the Forces of Change bloc.

The Constitutional Council decided on Tuesday to suspend the law allowing the extension of the municipal councils mandate, which Parliament voted for in mid-April.

The Council is expected to prepare a report on the issue within 10 days, before deciding on the multiple appeals recently presented against this law.

Last week, the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party parliamentary groups, as well as Zgharta MP Michel Moawad and opposition and Forces of Change MPs filed appeals against this law. 

The municipal elections, which had already been postponed a year in 2021, were originally scheduled to be held starting May 7.

The temporary suspension of the law by the Constitutional Council has no practical effect on current municipal councils, since their terms of office do not expire before May 31. The Constitutional Council has one month starting from May 2 to issue a final decision and either annul or validate the law in question.

BEIRUT — Forces of Change MPs Paula Yaacoubian, Melhem Khalaf, Halimé Kaakour and Ibrahim Mneimneh appealed before the Constitutional Council on Thursday against the law mandating the one year extension of the current municipal councils term, the state-run National News Agency reported.The MPs then met with the Constitutional Council's president, Tanios Mechleb, according to the NNA.The...