Tripoli's Municipal Council Head to Resign Next Month over Political Interference

Tripoli municipal chief Nader Ghazal announced on Wednesday that he would submit his resignation after New Year to protest political meddling and what he called widespread corruption.

“I am comfortable with my decision to resign and I won't accept to become a false witness to the events in Tripoli,” he said about the dispute between members of the municipal council who are loyal to several political leaders in the city.

“Tripoli residents are the victims of regional issues and political differences,” Ghazal told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), saying the council started to suffer from internal disputes two years ago.

The head of municipality revealed that he will hand over to Interior Minister Marwan Charbel a report along with his resignation letter to reveal his “unilateral work” to serve Tripoli and the level of corruption in the council.

“There is no longer hope for productive work in the current circumstances,” Ghazal said, accusing the council members of working to serve their personal and political interests.

“Politicians should take their hands off Tripoli,” he stressed.

However, he vowed to continue to serve the city despite his resignation.

Ghazal was elected in 2010 as a consensus candidate backed by major political groups in Tripoli, including Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi, ex-PM Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal movement and former Premier Omar Karami.