TRIPOLI, Lebanon: Several professional associations signed a declaration Monday set forth by Tripoli’s municipality which calls on political and business leaders to set politics aside and work together in the best interests of the city.

Tripoli Mayor Nader Ghazal launched the initiative late last month, on the occasion of Independence Day, calling it a commitment to seeing Tripoli remain a symbol of national coexistence. The municipality invited political figures, professional associations and civil society organizations to sign the protocol and pledge their support to the city of Tripoli.

Ghazal, who received delegations wishing to sign the protocol over the days following Independence Day, affirmed the municipality’s interest in working toward “reviving the city’s heritage and presenting its true image.”

The protocol, which was placed in municipality’s courtyard, was signed by several association heads, including the head of the Order of Engineers and Architects and the head of North Lebanon Order of Physicians.

It was also signed by representatives of former Prime Minister Omar Karami, Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi and Tripoli MP Samir Jisr.

In October, 14 of 24 members of Tripoli’s municipal council held a news conference, presenting a statement in which they urged Ghazal to yield to the majority’s agenda, although the embattled mayor later claimed that not all of the attendees had actually committed themselves to his ouster.

The political alliance that supported Ghazal’s election fell apart earlier this year, with the collapse of the government of Saad Hariri.