Skip to main content

Lebanon Struggles With Political Deadlock, Syria Crisis

Lebanon is threatened by the escalating situation in neighboring Syria, as well as by internal political disputes, writes Mohammad Harfoush.
Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman (5th from bottom) presides a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut January 3, 2013. Lebanon, now a haven for 170,000 Syrians fleeing civil war, has asked foreign donors for $180 million to help care for them and said it will register and recognise refugees after a year-long hiatus. The Beirut government has officially sought to "dissociate" itself from the 21-month-old struggle in Syria, nervous about the destabilising impact of the increasingl
Read in 

As long as the current international and regional efforts fail to separate the bloody Syrian crisis from the ghost of political deadlock in Beirut, the Lebanese situation faces many possible repercussions.

There is talk in political and diplomatic milieus about intensive international negotiations as part of a settlement deal in Syria. The aim is to pull Lebanon out of this tug of war, and — with the help of Moscow and Tehran — to distance it from the repercussions of the Syrian crisis. It has become clear that there is no need or justification for heated Lebanese disputes regarding the situation in Syria. Moreover, the Syrian conflict — which broke out approximately 22 months ago — has demonstrated the need for a Lebanese hand to help both Syrians and Lebanese equally. Beirut International Airport has become a resort for Syrian refugees, and the world stands as a witness.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.