Head of Tripoli’s municipal council issued a blatant decision banning the promotion of alcoholic drinks, hence dashing all personal freedoms and dealing another blow to Lebanon’s civilized image.

The northern city’s Mayor Nader Ghazal had issued a memo, that he claimed to be released upon the request of the Mufti of the North and Tripoli, addressing owners of restaurants and coffee shops to respect the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan and calling on residents to be considerate of fasting Muslims and abstain from dining at restaurants and cafes.

Ghazal’s first “offense” seems to have failed to slake his yearning for oppression, committing another mistake for which he should be held accountable given that it violates citizens' freedom and distorts Lebanon’s pluralism; a decision that can be least described as retrogressive.

Ghazal has allegedly taken a decision banning all alcohol advertising so as to preserve public morality and to meet the request put forth by the Muslim Scholars Committee.

It is true that removing billboards falls under the scope of the municipality’s prerogatives and powers, but is it acceptable to go forth with a decision that would only turn Tripoli into a one-sided city?

Instead of devising solutions to ease and alleviate tensions that have been battering Tripoli, Ghazal chose to resort to oppression, wiping out what has been left of the city’s pluralistic identity.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouk as well as non-governmental organizations ought to take action so as to quell the mayor’s crackdown on public freedoms.  Meanwhile, keep in mind: do not drink alcohol in Tripoli… Not until Ghazal’s mandate as a mayor ends.