The convening of the International Support Group for Lebanon is by itself a firm message by all its participants — despite their varying opinions on Syria — to provide a collective protective and diplomatic umbrella to shield Lebanon from the potential spillover of the Syrian crisis.

It is definitely something difficult to uphold because of the escalated Lebanese involvement in the Syrian crisis: the fight in Syria and the fight over Syria, through different means of the March 8 and March 14 coalitions. The conflict has a strong sectarian Sunni-Shiite dimension and threatens the country's national fabric.

The group — which includes the UN and its relevant specialized agencies, the EU, the Arab League and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — carries a commitment to providing Lebanon with more than necessary aid.

The aim is to successfully deal with the costs and implications of the increasing number of Syrian refugees and its impact on all levels of the Lebanese economy, society and security. It is also a commitment to provide aid to the Lebanese government to consolidate state institutions and strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese army.