Lebanon in crisis from spillover of Syria conflict
Difficulty accommodating the exorbitant numbers of Syrian refugees pouring into the country, as well as growing sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, highlight Lebanon’s dire situation.
All crises in Beirut seem to be escalating and worse. From the financial aspect, an international company lowered the ratings of three of the most important Lebanese banks on Nov. 8 — news that shook the Lebanese capital. Meanwhile, Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh paid visits to prominent officials and warned them that the situation is critical.
In the government, the vacuum — which the country has been experiencing since the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati on March 22 — persists, while a new government is still waiting to be formed. Better yet, it seems that the situation is on the verge of becoming an even greater dilemma amid increasing regional polarization. This has led to a deep rift between the two conflicting Lebanese parties, especially with the nearing presidential elections scheduled for March 25, 2014. People are also afraid of a complete institutional vacuum after the end of the current president’s term on May 25, 2014.
In terms of security, large regions in the north and east of Lebanon are still facing the risk of spillover from the Syrian war. Meanwhile, the Lebanese minister of interior has declared that over 36% of prisoners in Lebanese prisons are Syrians.
All this seemed reasonable and understandable, but two issues — external and internal—are raising the biggest concern regarding the fate of the "land of the cedars."
