NNA - Lebanese Forces party leader, Samir Geagea, on Thursday criticized Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) for what he termed as a renewed attack on democracy in Lebanon. He expressed concern over the impact on public representation and the functioning of institutions.

Geagea argued against the justification for postponing municipal elections. He questioned why MPs did not demand government readiness instead of using the excuse of government unpreparedness to extend municipal councils' terms.

Geagea then noted a discrepancy between the Interior Minister's assurances of election readiness and the resistance axis's insistence on the opposite. He attributed this to their desire to avoid municipal elections, fearing a demonstration of their lack of popular support.

In conclusion, Geagea accused Hezbollah and the FPM of depriving the Lebanese people of an opportunity to elect new local authorities. He condemned the manipulation and deception, calling it a betrayal of democracy.

==================R.H.