The Lawyers’ Forum of the Lebanese Kataeb Party reaffirmed its independence and commitment to professional integrity and national principles, ahead of the Beirut Bar Association elections.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Elie Kazan, president of the forum, condemned what it described as a wave of “misleading claims and suspicious campaigns” targeting the Kataeb lawyers on the eve of the vote.

“The Lawyers’ Forum has always been — and will remain — a stronghold of national sovereignty and patriotism,” Kazan said. “We do not deviate from our principles, nor will we ever be drawn into any dubious alignments for electoral purposes. Campaigns of intimidation or misinformation will not affect our decisions.”

Kazan highlighted the forum’s long-standing record of taking firm, principled positions in defense of the Bar and the country, stressing that its members have never compromised on sovereignty or ethics.

The statement described the attacks on the forum as “desperate attempts to influence the Bar’s democratic process” and “an unacceptable assault on the culture of independent professional practice.” Kazan reaffirmed that the forum’s decisions are independent, grounded solely in professional and ethical standards and the higher national interest.

The forum reiterated that the forum's candidates would be Maurice Gemayel and Milad Al-Hakim, running for the memberships of the Bar Council and the Pension Fund Committee, respectively.

Regarding the race for Bar President, Kazan said the forum was the first to publicly support Elias Bazerli, who later gained backing from other groups representing a range of political affiliations.

“This is a natural process in a Bar composed of both independent and partisan lawyers," he said. 

The statement stressed that the forum’s electoral alliances are based on enduring professional and national principles and will not change, dismissing claims circulated by campaigns of “known origin and intent.”

Kazan concluded by asserting that the Kataeb Lawyers’ Forum will remain steadfast in its positions, clear in its choices, and committed to justice, freedom, and state sovereignty, while always upholding the dignity of the legal profession and the will of the country’s lawyers.