After the Lebanese government collapsed last week, many feared that the conflicted society might descend once again into violence. That danger appears to have passed, and Lebanese leaders have been quick to reassure the international community that the crisis would be resolved peacefully. However, the process of forming a new government is only just beginning.
On Friday, Walid Jumblatt, a Druze leader who heads a bloc of eleven parlimentarians, threw his weight behind Hezbollah. Jumblatt has been an important force in Lebanese politics for decades, and had a checkered career during the civil war. His decision to side with the Lebanese Shiite group brings added pressure on Saad Hariri, the current prime minister, who is having trouble reforming a coalition government.
Hariri’s quest received a boost on Saturday when the leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, reiterated his support for the prime minister.
Lebanon’s political system reflects the country’s largest cultural groups – the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian, and the parliamentary speaker a Shiite Muslim. Hezbollah and its allies are expected to push for the appointment of Omar Karameh as the next prime minister. Karameh is a veteran of Lebanese politics – he has twice served as prime minister, from 1990-1992 and 2004-2005. Both terms ended in his resignation; the first as a result of protests that followed the collapse of the Lebanese currency, and the second after he failed to form a coalition government following the assassination of Rafiq Hariri.
If Karameh is installed for a third term, as expected, will he be able to bring all political parties together into a government of national unity? Lebanon is a diverse and conflicted place but this is a turbulent time, and strong leadership and cooperation are needed.
In other news, I’ll be in Beirut in three weeks. Here’s to hoping things stay civil and calm.
