Moawad: Agreement represents opportunity to put development agenda before politics
Franjieh: Political consensus to provide a boost for municipalities across Zgharta

Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad hailed Monday an agreement struck with the Marada Movement on supporting a consensus list of candidates in municipal polls across Zgharta district as a commitment to put development goals before politics.

Speaking at a lunch banquet that brought together officials from across the political spectrum along with civil society figures, Moawad said the agreement represented an opportunity to advance development goals across Zgharta after years of underachievement.

“Why did we seek consensus? Because municipal polls should center on development. We are not competing on the political or familial level. We are electing a local government at a time when international organizations are turning their attention away from the central government, which has plunged into paralysis, toward municipalities,” Moawad said.

Tony Franjieh, the son of Marada Movement Chief Suleiman Franjieh, also welcomed the agreement, saying it will provide a significant boost for municipalities to undertake long-thought development projects.

The fourth and last round of municipal polls will be staged on Sunday in the North Lebanon and Akkar governorates.