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Lebanon needs a model president

Lebanon currently faces crises that only a unifying president can address.
Members of the Lebanese Civil Defence stand in the sea near a Lebanese flag during a protest in Beirut April 9, 2014. Workers from public sectors went on strike on Wednesday to demand more rights. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3KJCX
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After more than 10 months since its formation, the coalition cabinet of Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam faces an agenda that includes the election of a new president and, more urgently, a million Syrian refugees and numerous unaddressed social and economic issues. These issues stem from the earlier dysfunction of both the executive and legislative branches of the state of Lebanon.

Now that parliament and the executive branch have resumed their functions, certain issues have brought about unprecedented social and class confrontations, such as rising prices, labor rights, low wages, housing, food security, health and demographic dislocations. The country has further witnessed the spread of demonstrations by trade and teacher unions that complain of the “excessive gains” of the “wealthy elite.” 

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