Several Lists Contend in Baalbek and Arsal Municipal Elections

In the districts of Baalbek and Hermel, two listings competed for the municipal elections, one of them formed by Hizbullah and the Amal movement dubbed as Loyalty and Development list.

The second was named Baalbek Madinati and is headed by Ghaleb Yaghi and backed by families and al-Mustaqbal movement.

In the northeastern town of Arsal where the army has bolstered its deployment on Saturday to ensure sound municipal elections, thousands of people are estimated to be registered to cast their ballots.

The lists competing in Arsal are three: A list headed by the town's mayor Ali al-Hujeiri, another headed by Bassel al-Hujeiri under the name “Arsal Gathers Us,” while the third is dubbed “Arsal First” is supported by the al-Mustaqbal movement.

Patrols have been deployed in the region.

There have been concerns by local officials in Arsal over holding the elections in the area given the tensions there caused by Syrian refugees and the town’s proximity to the neighboring country.

There have been demands to postpone the polls, but Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq assured earlier this week that the situation is under control.

Arsal lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria and has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter the neighboring country, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.