Beirut: Less than 24 hours after Tripoli deputy Robert Fadel submitted his resignation from parliament to Speaker Nabih Berri, Ehab Nafiah, a political official within the Al Jamaah Al Islamiyyah Party quit as well.
Both protested the outcome of the municipal elections that ushered in a victory for the ‘Tripoli’s Choice’ list backed by outgoing Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi.
The shocking results took everyone by surprise, especially the ‘For Tripoli’ list backed by former prime ministers Sa’ad Hariri and Najeeb Mikati, as well as ministers Mohammad Safadi, Faisal Karami, and several local deputies and Islamist groups.
Waleed Junblatt, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, tweeted that the billionaire coalition failed and wasted its resources.
Both Fadel and Nafiah lamented the results, which apparently “did not live up to the expectations of many in the city”, acknowledging that they must now assume their responsibilities in light of the popular rejection of agreements and alliances they entered into.
Nafiah added: “The results of the polls have shown that our choice was not a proper one. Al Jamaah Al Islamiyyah did not live up to the expectations of the people of Tripoli. I therefore shoulder the responsibility in front of my family and supporters of the Jamaah and I submit my resignation.”
The Rifi-backed list clinched 18 seats out of 24 on the municipal council although no Christian or Alawite candidates managed to win, something which has never occurred to date, even if Rifi explained in his Monday press conference that he pleaded — on four separate occasions — with local leaders to designate Christian and Alawite contenders. Aware that his consecration was risky, the affable leader clarified that he approached rivals to suggest putting the same Christian and Alawite candidates on both of their lists, but that they refused.
A jubilant Rifi declared that Lebanon “entered a different era” on Sunday. “You have consecrated the change,” he told the country, “which began in many Lebanese towns and cities, as a victory for all the Lebanese who rejected a failed regime during which the will and dignity of the people were treated with contempt. This contempt will not endure. Change is coming. Yes, change is coming.”
