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By Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari (Reuters) -Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies have lost their majority in Lebanon’s parliament in a general election, a Reuters tally of final results showed on Tuesday, a major blow to the heavily armed group that reflects anger with Lebanon’s ruling elite. The Shi’ite Muslim movement and factions that support its possession of arms won around 62 of parliament’s 128 seats in Sunday’s election, a reversal of the 2018 result when they secured a majority of 71. In the first election since Lebanon’s economic collapse and the Beirut port explosion of 2020, refor… Continue reading “Hezbollah and allies lose majority in Lebanese parliament, final results show”

An election in crisis-hit Lebanon appears to have dealt a setback to the biggest bloc, led by the Iran-backed Muslim Hezbollah party, and boosted reformists, provisional results showed Monday. Counting was ongoing and official results were only available for 49 of the 128 seats up for grabs by 5:00 pm (1400 GMT), fuelling opposition fears of foul play in some of the closest races. Turnout was low in the general election Sunday, the first since the Mediterranean country was plunged into a deep economic crisis that has stoked popular fury with the hereditary and graft-tainted ruling class. Some … Continue reading “Lebanon vote weakens Hezbollah bloc as reformists book gains”

Welcome to The New Arab’s coverage of Lebanon’s General Election 2022 held on May 15, 2022. Follow live updates, results, analyses, and opinion in our special hub here. Lebanon went to the polls on Sunday in its first parliamentary election since the country sunk into economic collapse and was hit by the devastating 2020 Beirut Port blast. The political landscape in Lebanon can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the complex political system of the country. Votes are currently being counted and the final results of the election are due later this week. Lebanon has an extremely d… Continue reading “Lebanon election explainer: Who are the key players?”

By Laila Bassam, Timour Azhari, Maya Gebeily and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) -Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies are likely to lose their majority in the Lebanese parliament after Sunday’s election, three sources allied to the group said, in a major blow to the heavily armed faction that reflects anger with ruling parties. Analysts said this could lead to political deadlock and conflict as deeply divided factions hash out powersharing deals over top state positions, risking further delays to reforms that are needed to address the economic crisis and unlock donor aid. Opponents of Shi’ite Musl… Continue reading “Lebanon’s Hezbollah, allies likely to lose parliamentary majority, sources say”

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon holds a parliamentary election on May 15, with candidates vying for 128 seats that are divided among 11 religious groups according to a sectarian power-sharing system. The vote takes place against a backdrop of devastating economic collapse and a boycott by leading Sunni Muslim politician Saad al-Hariri. While reform-minded independents hope to dislodge ruling factions, established parties are still expected to maintain a grip. Here are the main players: HEZBOLLAH Heavily armed, Shi’ite Muslim Hezbollah is Lebanon’s most powerful faction. Founded in 1982 by Iran’s Re… Continue reading “Factbox-Who is running in Lebanon’s election?”

On Wednesday, Palestinians marked World Keffiyeh Day to celebrate one of the most prolific symbols of Palestine’s culture. Wearing the black and white scarf is used as a marker of identity and a token of solidarity with the cause. On the surface, it is an accessory that is loved by millions, but the connotations behind it are a lot deeper than what initially meets the eye. “The Palestinian keffiyeh serves the same purpose in functionality and status, with it bringing an air of authority and presence, but it’s also a reminder that the Palestinian campaign for freedom is alive and here to stay” … Continue reading “Raise the Keffiyeh, the unofficial flag of Palestine”