A latent conflict between Turkey and Armenia has erupted in Beirut over the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, particularly in terms of the Lebanese authorities’ stance regarding the celebrations that will be held to mark the occasion.
Lebanon counts a large Armenian community that may be the most prominent among the Armenian diaspora. There are nearly 150,000 Lebanese Armenians, who have an active economic presence in Lebanon, in addition to their participation in the Lebanese political and constitutional system. They have a permanent ministerial share of one or two ministers, depending on the size of the Cabinet, as well as six parliament seats, four of which are in Beirut, where the majority of the Lebanese Armenians live.