Lobbying 2015: US won't let Syria drag down Lebanon

Lebanon’s central bank and its private financial firms are spending big money to prevent US pressure from unraveling one of the only sectors that still functions in the politically gridlocked nation.
A Lebanese army soldier speaks to U.S. ambassador to Lebanon David Hale (2nd L) during a demonstration of TOW-II missiles, which were donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army, in the Taybeh range in Baalbek June 10, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RTX1FXLQ
A Lebanese army soldier speaks to US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale (2nd L) during a demonstration of TOW-II missiles, which were donated by the US government to the Lebanese army, in the Taybeh range in Baalbek, June 10, 2015. - REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Julian Pecquet
@JPecquet_ALM

The Obama administration is determined to prevent the conflict in Syria from taking down its tiny neighbor to the south.

At least 1.2 million refugees have poured in over the past four years, accounting for more than a quarter of Lebanon’s population. The politically fractured country, which has been without a president for more than a year, has been left increasingly unable to cope.

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