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Christians Represent More than Half of Lebanese Expatriates Registered for Upcoming Elections

A Lebanese election official counts ballots after the polling station closed during Beirut’s municipal elections in Lebanon, May 8, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A Lebanese election official counts ballots after the polling station closed during Beirut’s municipal elections in Lebanon, May 8, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Christians Represent More than Half of Lebanese Expatriates Registered for Upcoming Elections

A Lebanese election official counts ballots after the polling station closed during Beirut’s municipal elections in Lebanon, May 8, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A Lebanese election official counts ballots after the polling station closed during Beirut’s municipal elections in Lebanon, May 8, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil is seeking to reopen the registration process for expatriates wishing to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, two months after it was closed, while his opponents and electoral experts are surprised with such move, which might lead to amending the electoral law a few months before the elections’ date.

92,810 Lebanese expatriates have registered to participate in the elections within the deadline set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, which began on the first of October and ended on November 20.

While the ministry described the number as an “achievement”, experts considered it “very low” especially since not everyone registered by the ministry may be able to vote in the days and locations to be determined later.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants has not yet circulated tables showing the sectarian and regional distribution of expatriates who registered to participate in the elections. However, MP Neamtallah Abu Nasr revealed that those registered are formed of 55 percent of Christians and 45 percent Of Muslims, pointing out that these figures were transmitted by Bassil.

“The data also indicates that a large number of those registered are from northern Lebanon,” Abi Nasr told Asharq Al-Awsat, calling on the ministry to publish the tables so that the candidates could build on them in their preparations for the elections.

In the event of re-opening the registration, Abu Nasr said that the number of those who had previously registered would be doubled.

He also said that the 20-day deadline would be sufficient and if there was a legal way to do so without delaying the elections.

Otherwise, the elections would be delayed by 15 or 20 days, he said.

On the other hand, sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the reopening of the registration process did not necessitate postponing the elections.

In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, the sources noted that Bassil was committed to his proposal within the framework of electoral reform.

Expatriates wishing to participate in the Lebanese elections will resort to a website and to a smart phone application dedicated by the ministry for this purpose.

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Arab World

Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
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Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias have prevented their so-called prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahwi, from naming the head of his office.

The Houthis have instead forced him to appoint a person of their choosing against his wishes, revealed informed sources in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

The Houthis are attempting to strip al-Rahwi, who was named as head of the militias’ new government, of his powers, making his appointment simply a cover for imposing their agenda and favoring Houthis who are descended of the line of their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The sources revealed that al-Rahwi had headed to the government headquarters with Rabih al-Mehdi, the director of the office of his predecessor. Mehdi hails from the Abyan province that is held by the legitimate government.

Al-Rahwi was seeking to keep al-Mehdi in his post. However, a leading Houthi member, Mohammed Qassem al-Kabisi, who used to occupy the position of government secretary, barred him from making the appointment.

Kabisi even prevented al-Mehdi from entering his office, resulting in an argument with al-Rahwi.

Kabisi informed al-Rahwi that he had no authority in naming the head of his office, saying that he does instead.

Al-Rahwi turned to the Houthis’ so-called ruling high political council to resolve the dispute and was informed that he should accept Kabisi as head of his office despite his objection.

A decree was issued days later naming Kabisi to the post.

He will effectively hold absolute power in government, while al-Rahwi will simply play a figurative role and only be needed to approve decisions and procedures taken by the Houthi leadership, joining other ministers who have no real duties.

The Houthis have formed a new government that will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor in keeping actual power to the militias themselves.

The new lineup includes a pro-Houthi figure, with no diplomatic background or experience, who was named foreign minister, replacing leading General People's Congress member Hisham Sharaf.

The appointment only fueled claims that the Houthis were seeking to eliminate their partners from rule. Al-Rahwi himself had no say in the lineup.

The Houthis announced the formation of their government on August 12. It met on August 17 to discuss its program, referred it to parliament the same day and by the next morning, an announcement was made that it was approved with no amendments or objections.

The incident with al-Rahwi has fueled speculation that the coming period will witness more struggles for power among the Houthis and their partners, whom they are trying to keep out of rule.

Observers noted that Kabisi is the son of a top Houthi leader. Qassem al-Kabisi is one of the founders of the group and is close to their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The senior Houthi officials believe they have the right to represent the Houthis in rule since they are its founders and oldest members.