A voter casts their ballot in Tripoli, North Lebanon, on May 11, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/OLJ.)
BEIRUT — Bassam Haykal was elected president of the Zghorta Municipal Federation on Tuesday, during a vote held in the office of Zghorta’s Qaimaqam, Imane Rafei, with 23 municipalities participating, except Ain Tourin, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Supported by the Marada and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Haykal was elected with 14 votes against Khalil Chomor. Michel Menassa, who is supported by the Independence Movement of Michel Moawad and the Lebanese Forces (LF), won the vice president seat against Elias Khoury, with 13 votes, reports NNA.
Reacting to these elections, the Marada MP in Zghorta, Tony Frangieh, congratulated the new head of the Federation of Municipalities, stating that "masks have fallen, despite all intimidation attempts." "The challenges are numerous and we will work hand in hand for a better caza," he wrote on X.
Moawad, independent MP of Zghorta, also congratulated Bassam Haykal, as well as "the independent candidate, the head of the Kfar Fou municipality, Michel Menassa [...] for his election as vice president." "These elections have, for the first time, led to a solid reformist opposition that will ensure an end to clientelism and corruption," wrote Moawad on X.
Lebanon held municipal elections across the country in May, three years late due to successive crises. Taking place a year before the 2026 legislative elections and after major political upheavals resulting from the last war between Hezbollah and Israel (2023-2024), this election carried particular political importance for various local actors.
