Lebanon’s dysfunction that has led to these protests is not new. It has its origins in the country’s sectarian political system laid out in the Taif agreement that ended the Lebonese civil war in 1989. This system was exploited by Lebonese political elites who were in power during the civil war. These elites have taken advantage of their power and have lacked any real accountability. This in conjunction with the fact that there are four sects of Islam and eighteen sects of christianity in Lebonon made the country ripe for an uprising. Economic stresses have been the catalyst that have exploded these tensions into something much larger.
In this article Lebanese President Michel Aoun on tasked former Education Minister Hassan Diab with forming the country’s next government after Hezbollah and its allies nominated him in talks with parliament. Lebanon has had a temporary government since late October when Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned due to a mass uprising against the ruling elite. Diab, however, has not been immune to protests either and hundreds have taken to the streets to denounce his designation.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech recently that a “one-color” government would not able stabilize Lebanon in the face of its worsening economic crisis. Despite this apparent call for unity, the US has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization so a government like this could be perceived as a direct extension of the party’s power. This will isolate Lebanon from potential help from international leaders in a time when it is most needed amidst economic collapse.
Lebanese president asks Hassan Diab to form governmentI completely understand why the Lebonese people are still upset to have Diab designated as prime minister. Though he checks the box for being Sunni in a Sunnie majority country, the rallying cry of Lebonese protests in the first place was against the political elites. And who do they get? A former minister. By far, the most interesting part of the article to me is the fact that the US could potentially get involved more in Lebanon with a government that has strong ties with Hezbollah. I never would have guessed that the US would even bat an eye at such an economically and geopolitically insignificant country. Though for the stability of the region, I think their needs to be more international attention on the conflict.