BEIRUT: Lebanon’s municipal elections set for May could be postponed for a second time following a series of parliamentary delays, leaving local administrations and services paralyzed.
The elections were initially postponed for 12 months because they coincided with the 2022 parliamentary elections.
But with deputies refusing to hold a parliamentary session to settle the matter, municipal polls now face a second postponement.
Rival Cabinet and parliamentary blocs blamed each other for the possible delay of the elections.

WASHINGTON: The US military conducted a helicopter raid in eastern Syria late on Saturday and captured a Daesh operative and two of his associates, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The capture of Hudayfah al Yemeni and his associates will disrupt the organization’s ability to plot and carry out operations,” the statement said, adding no civilians were killed or hurt.

Sanaa: An exchange of nearly 900 prisoners from Yemen’s civil war will start on Friday, one day later than previously announced, a government official said on Wednesday.
No reason was given for the delay to the three-day exchange, in which prisoners will be flown between cities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The biggest prisoner swap since 2020 is taking place after a delegation from Saudi Arabia held talks with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia this week in an attempt to end hostilities.

ATHENS: Greece said Tuesday it would welcome expanded cooperation with Turkiye after both countries hold elections next month ‒ including on energy issues that have been at the heart of decades-old disputes.
“Greece is always looking for ways to have honest and sincere cooperation with Turkiye,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said after talks in Athens with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry.

CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign minister has underlined the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to address the roots of terrorism and extremism.
At a meeting with the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Tuesday, Sameh Shoukry explained the Egyptian position on issues of concern to the Islamic world.
Shoukry stressed Egypt’s support for the OIC and the role it plays in defending the interests and priorities of the Islamic world.