Lebanon’s sectarian system is in danger of falling apart

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mikati good byeIN THEORY Lebanon is an independent republic and in theory a democracy, which in theory rests upon a fair division of spoils between some 17 officially recognised religious “sects”. As long as everyone suspends disbelief, the tiny country and its enterprising people thrive. But then reality comes knocking. In 1975 it came in the form of a 15-year-long civil war that left Lebanon shattered and let its neighbours, Syria and Israel, stomp in with their armies.

That storm passed but the stomping has renewed of late, in the form of hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Syria’s civil war. Lebanon managed, just, to maintain a pretence of aloofness from that imbroglio, despite a bitter polarisation among the Lebanese between supporters and foes of the beleaguered regime of Syria’s Bashar Assad. But the resignation of Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, on March 22nd has abruptly ended that pretence.

Under Lebanese rules the prime minister must be a Sunni, the president a Maronite Christian, and parliament’s speaker a Shia. The reality is that Lebanon’s Shias, bolstered by the might of Hizbullah, their main party-cum-militia, have in recent years emerged as the strongest force. Prodded by Iran, Hizbullah backs Mr Assad to the hilt. Lebanon’s unruly Christians are divided, half aligned with Hizbullah, while the geographically dispersed Sunnis, whose hold on key parts of the Lebanese state has been slipping, cheer instead for Syria’s rebels.

Mr Mikati’s installation as prime minister two years ago was the outcome of a long period of manoeuvring by Mr Assad’s allies, led by Hizbullah and marked by serial assassinations, eventually forcing the resignation of his predecessor. Mr Mikati, a telecoms magnate, was seen as a competent, relatively neutral figure, but his position as the ostensible top Sunni was fragile. Along with Lebanon’s president, Michel Suleiman, he has tried to hold the balance between the country’s many sectarian interests. For instance, whereas Lebanon’s army is seen as closer to Christians and Shias, its internal security forces have tended to be Sunni-dominated.

As Mr Assad has weakened, Hizbullah has felt increasingly threatened, while Sunni rage has grown. With Lebanese elections scheduled for June, Mr Mikati found himself parrying demands that were sure to alienate his Sunni constituents. Hizbullah’s camp insisted on changing electoral rules to its advantage and on replacing the chief of Lebanon’s internal security, a powerful Sunni due soon to retire, with a more malleable figure. Increasingly frequent clashes between Sunni militants and pro-Syrian gunmen underlined the hazard, in Mr Mikati’s eyes, of tampering with Lebanon’s tenuous arrangements. His resignation increases this danger.

THe Economist

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Comments

32 responses to “Lebanon’s sectarian system is in danger of falling apart”

  1. What a Rubbish article!!! How about true democracy proportional representation!!! If not that the Orthodox law should be fine it’s like proportional representation among the two major religions in Lebanon Christians and Muslims.

    1. libnan1 Avatar

      Right on Moe28, the Orthodox gathering proposed law is the only way to get proper representation. It will change the country to the better. All elected MPs will be accountable for their actions.

  2. What a Rubbish article!!! How about true democracy proportional representation!!! If not that the Orthodox law should be fine it’s like proportional representation among the two major religions in Lebanon Christians and Muslims.

    1. libnan1 Avatar

      Right on Moe28, the Orthodox gathering proposed law is the only way to get proper representation. It will change the country to the better. All elected MPs will be accountable for their actions.

  3. “Hizbullah’s camp insisted on changing electoral rules to its advantage
    and on replacing the chief of Lebanon’s internal security, a powerful
    Sunni due soon to retire.” Changing what? Proportional representation is all about how many Lebanese citizens vote you in power!!! Due to retire? His terms was up he cannot run again!!! Amend the law so he can stay a few more years and blackmail and scheme some more?

  4. “Hizbullah’s camp insisted on changing electoral rules to its advantage
    and on replacing the chief of Lebanon’s internal security, a powerful
    Sunni due soon to retire.” Changing what? Proportional representation is all about how many Lebanese citizens vote you in power!!! Due to retire? His term was up he cannot run again!!! Amend the law so hey can stay a few more years and blackmail and scheme some more?

  5. Would you please stop saying Lebanon has a democracy – that’s a bunch of crap. How could you write/post such an article, knowing that all Lebanese can’t run for any position they would like to, but are limited to a specific position, because of one’s religious up bringing and beliefs. Not to mention non religious Lebanese don’t have a chance in hell. GIVE ME A BREAK!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Andre … it does say ‘In Theory’. Several times …. sort of ‘tongue-in-cheek’ ….
      And then it says ‘As long as everyone suspends disbelief.’ ….. exactly.

  6. Would you please stop saying Lebanon has a democracy – that’s a bunch of crap. How could you write/post such an article, knowing that all Lebanese can’t run for any position they would like to, but are limited to a specific position, because of one’s religious up bringing and beliefs. Not to mention non religious Lebanese don’t have a chance in hell. GIVE ME A BREAK!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Andre … it does say ‘In Theory’.

  7. ali elzein Avatar
    ali elzein

    Get rid of it before its to late…that’s if its not to late

  8. ali elzein Avatar
    ali elzein

    Get rid of it before its to late…that’s if its not to late

  9. Prophettttt Avatar
    Prophettttt

    We Can’t wait until Lebanon’s Rotten sectarian system falls apart.
    The title of this post “Lebanon’s (“delicate”, as it originally appeared in The Economist) sectarian system is in danger of falling apart” sounds like a warning that we should be worried instead of happy if this system falls apart.
    I can understand the economist believing that it is a dangerous thing. But Why would a Lebanese site which “supposedly” promotes “democracy” and “separation of religion and state” would copycat such a title and “warn” us of such a “danger”. The only thing you didn’t copy is the original warning “Be careful”.

    1. Hannibal Avatar

      3amm yer3aak jeldak for another t? LOL
      Yes it sounded weird to me as I see positive in the title like what is the problem here? let it…

      1. Prophettttt Avatar
        Prophettttt

        Well , I Can’t help being allergic to stupidity,lol
        We should start our own site.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          🙂 .. No … takes enough time to make comments. Forget searching for ‘news’ to post.
          Although, I DO have some interesting recipes to share … :-)))

          1. libnan1 Avatar

            We can rely on you to drive around and report the news. Real news…..

          2. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            As long as you’re buying the gas … I’m ‘up’ most of the time anyway … could be a ‘filler’ job augmenting pension. 🙂
            But then, we have Wargame … 😉

          3. Prophettttt Avatar
            Prophettttt

            I’m still thinking of a creative and polite way to say ‘Thanks,but no thanks “..lol

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Even if there’s a danger, it’s a positive change we look for. Having to have two too-expensive ‘top guys’ , and keeping a ‘delicate balance’ all the time, is ludicrous. Suppose Hezzy ‘leads’ like ‘the brotherhood’ in Egypt – well, at least everyone would know finally why the country died. Might even stand a chance after of voting out the religionists … if there’s ever another election allowed.

        1. Prophettttt Avatar
          Prophettttt

          This rotten Sectarian systems opened the door for sectarian and religious parties to emerge. Every sect “needed” a religious party or religious “protection”.Every official, elected or appointed became a representative of his own sect.God forbid you criticize any official , you’d be “attacking” his sect or faith. People,even secular ones, follow blindly because they feel that only the sect protects them. Very sickening ,really.

  10. Prophettttt Avatar
    Prophettttt

    We Can’t wait until Lebanon’s Rotten sectarian system falls apart.

    The title of this post “Lebanon’s (delicate, as it originally appeared) sectarian system is in danger of falling apart” sounds like a warning that we should be worried instead of happy if this system falls apart.
    I can understand the economist believing that it is a dangerous thing. But Why would a Lebanese site which “supposedly” promotes “democracy” and “separation of religion and state” would copycat such a title and “warns” us of such a “danger”. The only thing you didn’t copy is the original warning “Be careful”.

    1. José Jalapeño Avatar
      José Jalapeño

      3amm yer3aak jeldak for another t? LOL
      Yes it sounded weird to me as I see positive in the title like what is the problem here? let it…

      1. Prophettttt Avatar
        Prophettttt

        Well , I Can’t help being allergic to stupidity,lol
        We should start our own site.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          🙂 .. No … takes enough time to make comments. Forget searching for ‘news’ to post.
          Although, I DO have some interesting recipes to share … :-)))

          1. libnan1 Avatar

            We can rely on you to drive around and report the news. Real news…..

          2. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            As long as you’re buying the gas … I’m ‘up’ most of the time anyway … could be a ‘filler’ job augmenting pension. 🙂

          3. Prophettttt Avatar
            Prophettttt

            I’m still thinking of a creative and polite way to say ‘Thanks,but no thanks “..lol

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Even if there’s a danger, it’s a positive change we look for. Having to have two too-expensive ‘top guys’ , and keeping a ‘delicate balance’ all the time, is ludicrous. Suppose Hezzy ‘leads’ like ‘the brotherhood’ in Egypt – well, at least everyone would know finally why the country died. Might even stand a chance after of voting out the religionists … if there’s ever another election allowed.

        1. Prophettttt Avatar
          Prophettttt

          This rotten Sectarian systems opened the door for sectarian and religious parties to emerge. Every sect “needed” a religious party or religious “protection”.Every official, elected or appointed became a representative of his own sect.God forbid you criticize any official , you’d be “attacking” his sect or faith. People,even secular ones, follow blindly because they feel that only the sect protects them. Very sickening ,really.

  11. It is in deed a sad state of affairs but im going to say something ( and again it has nothing to with a particular sect ) the pm’s position has always seemed to be a weakness in our country…go back through history and look at whats happened…when times get tough they resign and dont want to play anymore….how about we find a pm thats poor so their business interests will not be put at risk by the gulf states and west when they come into power….”.Hizbullah’s camp insisted on changing electoral rules to its advantage and on replacing the chief of Lebanon’s internal security, a powerful Sunni due soon to retire, with a more malleable figure.” we are sick and tired of hearing the same thing and blaming the same people….in norway the other day i heard a goat had a fight with a cow…they are blaming hzb and iran…get over it…how about certain people take responsibility for once….what electoral laws did the hzb insist on changing? they have said they agree to the orthodox proposal which was put forward by guess what? the orthodox….they also agreed to the formula proposed and voted on in parliament before that….the majority of politicians seem to have agreed on the orthodox proposal except mustqabal and jumblatt….it dosent matter what electoral laws are proposed the hzb and amal have their votes…gagea and gmayell have to gain the most from the large political parties from this proposal as well as the smaller parties…..regarding rifi his term is up what is their to discuss?

  12. It is in deed a sad state of affairs but im going to say something ( and again it has nothing to with a particular sect ) the pm’s position has always seemed to be a weakness in our country…go back through history and look at whats happened…when times get tough they resign and dont want to play anymore….how about we find a pm thats poor so their business interests will not be put at risk by the gulf states and west when they come into power….”.Hizbullah’s camp insisted on changing electoral rules to its advantage and on replacing the chief of Lebanon’s internal security, a powerful Sunni due soon to retire, with a more malleable figure.” we are sick and tired of hearing the same thing and blaming the same people….in norway the other day i heard a goat had a fight with a cow…they are blaming hzb and iran…get over it…how about certain people take responsibility for once….what electoral laws did the hzb insist on changing? they have said they agree to the orthodox proposal which was put forward by guess what? the orthodox….they also agreed to the formula proposed and voted on in parliament before that….the majority of politicians seem to have agreed on the orthodox proposal except mustqabal and jumblatt….it dosent matter what electoral laws are proposed the hzb and amal have their votes…gagea and gmayell have to gain the most from the large political parties from this proposal as well as the smaller parties…..regarding rifi his term is up what is their to discuss?

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