Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh on Tuesday took part in the inauguration of the new Harajel Municipality building, using the occasion to highlight the critical role of professionalism, competence, and vision in effective local governance.

Sayegh described the visit as “an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of municipal work as a professional practice that requires vision, competence, and a genuine commitment to serving the people.”

In a post on X, he stressed that “merit must be the cornerstone of any sustainable, modern, and effective development project—from the mayor to the council members.”

He called for the establishment of clear standards of competence and expertise as prerequisites for running in municipal elections, arguing that such criteria are essential to improving local performance and promoting professionalism in public service.

“Municipalities are not platforms for ceremonial courtesies, but rather pivotal institutions in shaping the future of towns and villages, grounded in transparency and good governance,” he said.

“A municipality is not about titles, it’s a responsibility,” Sayegh concluded.