Mustaqbal Backs Current Sidon Municipal Chief for Upcoming Polls

Secretary General of al-Mustaqbal Movement Ahmed al-Hariri announced that the movement backs a list headed by current municipal chief of Sidon, Mohammed al-Saudi, for the upcoming municipal polls, the state-run National News Agency reported on Monday.

“Al-Saudi deserves a lot because he is the son of Sidon. He made many accomplishments for this city which he was able to put on the road to modern development when we put our hand in his hand,” said Hariri in a popular gathering organized by youth of the Hay Maksar al-Abed in Sidon.

In addition to the Mustaqbal Movement, Al-Saudi is backed by al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, and former Municipal Chief Abdul-Rahman Bizri.

Seeking a second term, he is facing two other lists in the southern city, one headed by Bilal Shaaban and backed by the Popular Nasserite Organization Secretary General Osama Saad.

The third list is headed by former al-Jamaa al-Islamiya senior official Ali Sheikh Ammar, who formed an independent 17-member list backed by supporters of imprisoned salafist Ahmed al-Assir.

The third round of the municipal polls will take place in south Lebanon and Nabatieh on May 22.

The polls were first held in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley on May 8.

Mount Lebanon elections witnessed a heated competition on May 15.

The fourth and last round will be held on May 29 in the North.

D.A.

M.T.