The Hezbollah Question in Lebanon
As developments in Syria and elsewhere around the region continue, a look at the role Hezbollah plays in Lebanon is more pertinent than ever.
The situation in Lebanon is worrying. The central state is falling apart and its sovereign components are crumbling, while the republic’s institutions are becoming weaker.
Parliament suspended its sessions three months ago and contented itself with a renewal of its term. It has since entered a deep coma that has dragged on for months, but will probably resume activity in May 2014, when the next president is to be elected in accordance with the constitution. In this way, the parliament would be consecrating — by its show of hands — a deal that was prepared for it abroad to be carried out by its members, those who were entrusted with representing Lebanon’s different sects in the name of the people.
As for the government, it resigned nearly nearly six months ago, handling matters at the whim of ministers who are not held accountable for their actions.
The republic is hanging by a thread. It has lost all of its pillars except for its presidency, an institution characterized by the steadfastness of the person occupying the post, its unity and its limited capabilities. The country refuses to die, even if undermined by the de facto forces and restrained by regional conflicts.
