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Meszár Tárik
14/09/2024 16:30
The political system of Lebanon is confessional and based on the division of power between the different religious groups. In order to maintain a balance between the country’s 18 officially recognized religious communities, political power is divided: The President of the Republic is always a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim, while the Speaker of Parliament is a Shia Muslim. This system essentially determines the political dynamics of the country.
Lebanon’s modern history is full of conflicts and internal tensions that have significantly influenced the country’s political structure. The civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, left deep wounds in the country and continues to affect political stability to this day. The Taif Agreement, which was concluded after the end of the civil war, reaffirmed the confessional system, but nevertheless left deep cracks in the power structures.
Geopolitics
The country’s geopolitical position is of crucial importance in the Middle East. The country borders Syria and Israel, and its coastline on the Mediterranean is of strategic importance. Lebanon has always been at the intersection of spheres of interest where major powers and regional players have sought to gain influence. For a long time, Syria played a decisive role in Lebanon’s internal affairs. The Syrian army invaded Lebanon in 1976, officially to end the civil war, but its presence lasted until 2005, when Rafik Hariri was assassinated.
Lebanon is also the scene of regional competition between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran has considerable influence through Hezbollah, while Saudi Arabia supports the Sunni Muslim communities and seeks political power through the Hariri family. This competition often leads to instability and political gridlock in the country.
The Israeli conflict
In 2006, a major armed conflict broke out between Lebanon and Israel, with Hezbollah as the main protagonist. Since then, minor clashes and tensions along the border have continued. Due to its geopolitical location, Lebanon is also of importance to Israel, and Israeli-Lebanese relations have a significant impact on regional stability. Hezbollah has stepped up its operations since Israel invaded Rafah, a town in the southern Gaza Strip, and intelligence analysts say the possibility of all-out war cannot be ruled out.
Lebanon’s future is closely linked to regional and international developments. While the country’s political system provides stability through power-sharing between religious communities, it also hinders the quick and effective decision-making needed to tackle economic and social problems. In addressing the internal and external challenges, the support of the international community and regional cooperation will be crucial for long-term stability and development.
The author is a senior researcher at the Eurasia Center
