A Lebanon mayor, reputed to be 109

The head of one remote village is reputed to be 109 years old and he says he has been trying to resign for 20 years, but that his only two surviving councillors are both senile.

So the elections will be a chance to bring younger blood into local government, which many people believe is important.

Unlike elections for the national parliament, there is no sectarian quota system at the local level to ensure an agreed balance between the country's numerous religious communities.

Because the municipal elections are based heavily on local and clan loyalties, the national political parties are also, generally speaking, not directly involved though they do give their support to local contestants.

In some areas, coalition lists have been drawn up which confusingly involve figures both supporting and opposing the Syrian-backed Beirut government.

Over the coming four weeks all parts of the country will have a chance to vote, except that is, for the Israeli-controlled zone - and a handful of mountain villages where a lack of reconciliation between Christians and Druze has delayed the return of displaced inhabitants.