The MP and leader of the Aounist movement, Gebran Bassil, on June 14, 2023. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Gebran Bassil, on Sunday praised his party’s victory from Jezzine, saying it “has proven its presence across Lebanon,” notably “in the south of the country, from Saida to Zahrani, all the way to Sour, Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, Nabatieh and Jezzine, its Aounist stronghold.”
Bassil said the FPM “won municipalities, municipal presidencies, municipal seats and mokhtar [local official in charge of records] positions,” proving that the Aounist movement “is part of the fabric of the south and works for its development in all its regions.” He added, “Its base in Jezzine remains, and the exception, the big mistake, was in 2022 — a mistake that will not be repeated.”
These remarks came as municipal elections concluded Saturday in the governorates of South Lebanon and Nabatieh, after four weekends of voting across the country. The Ministry of Interior reported a turnout of 37 percent, down from 48 percent in the 2016 municipal elections.
Bassil also told his supporters to “look forward to 2026,” referring to the legislative elections scheduled for May 2026.
