Days before next week’s parliamentary elections, all Lebanese security agencies are close to announcing their mobilization to prepare for the May 6 event, the build-up of which was marred by frequent security incidents.
The army and security forces will finalize preparing the various operation centers that will be distributed throughout the country to monitor the voting process.
Military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that five centers, comprised of military and security forces, will be connected to each other and the main command center at the Defense Ministry, which will be chiefly responsible for the safety of the elections.
The military usually assumes the responsibility of protecting the vicinity of a polling station point, while the Internal Security Forces oversee the voting process at the actual station.
No military personnel will be present inside the station, said retired General Dr. Mohammed Rammal. The military only enters a center in case of a major security development.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that all security agencies, starting with the Army Command, will face a “major challenge on May 6, because elections in Lebanon are usually held in stages, not in one day.”
Previous elections used to see the vote take place over a series of weeks during a month-long period.
“This is the first time that the parliamentary elections will be held over a single day, which demands the adoption of a tight plan and for the complete mobilization of all agencies,” Rammmal added.
Security incidents have been recorded in the build-up to next week’s vote.
In the Tripoli-Minieh-Dinnieh district in the North, supporters of retired Major General Ashraf Rifi clashed with supporters from rival lists.
In the capital, Beirut, supporters of the Mustaqbal Movement clashed with backers of other candidates.
In one incident, supporters of Yehya Shamas, who is backed by the Shi’ite duo of the “Hezbollah” and Amal groups, did not hesitate in resorting to automatic weapons and mortar shells during a clash with rivals that erupted on April 5.
On the Druze front, several security incidents erupted over the hanging of electoral posters, reflecting the tensions among the rival factions representing the sect.
Supporters of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat clashed with others backing Lebanese Democratic Party chief Talal Arslan. Supporters of the latter also fought with supporters of former minister Wiam Wahhab.
The most dangerous security incident, however, was the attack by “Hezbollah” supporters against journalist and candidate Ali al-Amin over the hanging of a poster.
Partisan sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that security agencies urged all parties, without exception, to rein in their supporters in an effort to avoid security unrest.
