A municipal council is an elected body responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of a municipality in Lebanon. From maintaining roads and lighting to handling water supply, sanitation, and public safety, these councils play a vital role in shaping local life. They are the closest form of government to the people and influence everything from infrastructure to culture.
How Are Councils Structured?
Each municipal council consists of two components:
- The decision-making body (the council itself)
- The executive authority, usually the council president or their deputy in their absence.
But Beirut is an exception the muhafiz (governor) holds executive power instead of a council president.
Council size varies depending on population:
- 9 members if the population is under 2,000
- Up to 21 members for populations over 24,000
- Only Beirut and Tripoli are unique, with 24 members each.
Sometimes, multiple villages are grouped under one council to reflect the number of registered residents.
What Do Municipal Councils Actually Do?
Municipal councils do a lot more than most people realize. They are responsible for maintaining essential services like roads, street lighting, sanitation systems, and water networks. Beyond that, they oversee urban planning and infrastructure development to ensure organized and sustainable growth. They also play a crucial role in ensuring public order through the municipal police and contribute to community life by developing public spaces, organizing cultural events, and promoting local tourism. The president of the council takes on executive responsibilities, managing the council’s budget, implementing decisions, issuing permits, and protecting the local environment.
The Problem
Despite their responsibilities, municipal councils in Lebanon lack real autonomy. Why? Because decentralization, as promised in the Ta’if Agreement, was never truly implemented. Councils must get approval from central authorities like the Interior Ministry, muhafiz, or qaim maqam, even for basic projects. This dependency blocks local problem-solving and keeps communities waiting.
The Solution
If Lebanon adopted genuine administrative decentralization, councils could respond directly to their community’s needs. This would mean fewer bureaucratic delays, stronger local leadership, and better services for citizens. It’s time to give power back to the people locally.
