Municipal mandate extension upheld, Saudi man freed, car dealers protest: Everything you need to know to start your Wednesday

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The Constitutional Council yesterday rejected appeals to a law extending municipal councils’ mandates, the state-run National News Agency reported. The extension of municipal councils’ and mokhtars’ mandates for a maximum of one year “became effective” yesterday after a 7-3 vote by the Constitutional Council rejecting the appeals. Three separate groups of MPs filed the appeals between April 28 and May 4, including legislators from the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb blocs, who boycotted the Parliament session in which the law was passed. Amid struggles to secure funding for the planned municipal elections, Parliament convened on April 18 to vote on the extension during an exceptional legislative session. Such sessions have otherwise been opposed by dozens of MPs amid the country’s ongoing presidential vacuum.

Caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury said he will not attend today’s government meeting, adding that he refuses the cabinet’s attempt to replace two criminal lawyers he approved to represent Lebanon’s interests in the French prosecution of Banque du Liban (BDL) chief Riad Salameh. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati postponed the meeting, which was called solely to discuss the lawyers’ replacement, noting that the cabinet still has the final say on the appointment. “Trying to find jurists willing to work pro bono took us about a year,” Khoury explained during a press conference. Khoury refuted the reasons the cabinet gave for their displeasure with his choice of legal representatives and refused to attend the meeting set by Mikati. A French court said it would issue a verdict on a restitution request for tens of millions of euros worth of assets linked to Salameh, seized on suspicions that they were acquired with embezzled BDL funds.

The Lebanese Army freed a Saudi man who had been kidnapped Sunday in Beirut. The man was freed near the Syrian border. A security source told L’Orient Today that the Saudi man, Machari al-Maitari, will be transported to Beirut after he gives his statement to Army Intelligence in Hermel in the Bekaa. The army said its search for the kidnappers is ongoing after they arrested dozens of suspects during “searches from the northern Bekaa to the [Syrian] border, which led to Maitari’s release.” Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari thanked Lebanese officials and security forces. He stated that their efforts were proof that “the Lebanese authorities are keen to ensure the safety of tourists.” Last April, the Internal Security Forces warned against a rise in ransom-motivated kidnappings.

Dozens of second-hand vehicle dealers, taxi drivers and others blocked the Charles Helou highway in front of Beirut’s port, protesting an increase to the exchange rate used to calculate customs duties on imported products. The exchange rate used to calculate customs increased this month by LL26,000, reaching LL80,000 — converging with the central bank Sayrafa rate but still around LL15,000 below the parallel market rate. Elie Azzi, head of the car importers’ syndicate, told Lebanese daily Annahar that the customs owed for car imports are tantamount to “theft.” Tuesday's protest was the third one this year calling for an adjustment to the customs rate, which importers say is hurting their business.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil told Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas that “there is an agreement on a candidate” to oppose Hezbollah and Amal favorite, Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh, in the Lebanese presidential election. Bassil did not disclose the candidate’s identity. “All the elements for the election of a president are not yet in place,” Bassil added, noting that they are “missing the election mechanism and the programs.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who earlier this month called for the election of Lebanon’s next president before June 15, previously said he would “immediately” convene MPs for a 12th election session when there is a chance for “competition.” The presidential vacuum in effect since the end of Michel Aoun’s term on Oct. 31 has caused controversy over the caretaker cabinet’s powers and Parliament’s ability to meet for legislative sessions.

In case you missed it, here’s our must-read story from yesterday: “Riad Salameh and Hezbollah: Best frenemies?”

Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz