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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.
Hezbollah supporters react as they listen to their leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a rally to mark 'Quds (Jerusalem) Day' in Beirut's southern suburbs, August 2, 2013. Nasrallah delivered a speech to hundreds of supporters in support of Palestinians in his first public appearance since last September. He has been living in hiding, for fear of assassination, since Hezbollah fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006.  REUTERS/Sharif Karim   (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) - RTX128H
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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.

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