Beirut: Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, confirmed in a chat with journalists before the closing of ballot boxes this evening that “the number of clashes exceeded the number of complaints in the Akkar and North Governorates’ elections.”

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Al-Hajjar stated that the complaints received were mainly administrative and security-related, prompting quick intervention by authorities, including, at times, requesting support from the army. The minister attributed the clashes to certain individuals’ over-protection and impulsive actions, urging citizens to maintain peaceful expression and to follow the vote counting process with the dignity and ethics traditionally exhibited by the people of the North and Akkar.

Emphasizing the importance of the elections as a testament to the strength of state logic, Al-Hajjar called on all involved to avoid any attempts at bribery or violence, warning that security services will strictly enforce measures against such activities.