Charbel praises mayors' role

Minister of Interior Marwan Charbel said that mayors have assumed, throughout history, a paramount role in villages and localities as they were entrusted with citizens' affairs.

He depicted them as the representatives of the central state in different sectors and on all levels, especially at a time when there were no municipalities.

The Minister, representing President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, and PM Najib Mikati, made these remarks during the inauguration of Mayors' Mutual Fund's headquarters in Lebanon, rehabilitated by Al-Walid Ben Talal Human Foundation.

Charbel maintained that the law had granted mayors a large scope of powers and endowed them with the role of assistants in affairs relevant to public administrations, general security, personal status, and others. "Mayors are the facet of authority on the local level," he corroborated.

"It is unacceptable that the state relinquish its local representatives," he said, pointing out decree number 10626/2003, hereby forming a public institution titled "Mayors Mutual Fund in Lebanon."

He explained that this institution enjoys moral personality as well as financial and administrative autonomy.