BEIRUT: Beirut’s Mayor Bilal Hamad said Tuesday “there are several problems disrupting the work of the municipal council due to some infringements on its authority.” 

Hamad spoke during a meeting with Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Matar in order to discuss the municipal council’s work and receive the Archbishop’s advice and recommendations. 

Regarding the violations against the council’s authority, Hamad said “the council has certain powers set by law, and they are being violated. We are trying as much as possible to address the situation, but we cannot continue our work in this way.” 

As for the council’s collaboration with the new Cabinet, Hamad said the presence of a new Cabinet will ease the council’s work. “We have a new interior minister of whom we’ve heard positive things and we will work toward having a good relationship with him,” he said.