LEBANON: A NEW PHASE OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS

The events of recent years in Lebanon reflect important changes in the country’s political and social life. In this regard, it is important to understand what caused the new aggravation of the crisis in Lebanese society. Perhaps this is no longer just a crisis. What does the saltpeter explosion in the port of Beirut, which destroyed half of the capital, show? What reforms are demanded by the Lebanese who have taken to the streets of cities? What does the Lebanese political establishment offer its citizens and can it transform the country’s long-established traditional system of government and governance in order to overcome the main obstacles to its economic and social development? In theory, Lebanon could well become a modern, prosperous country it was in the past. But will the Lebanese elite be able to sign a new contract with society? Peaceful demands and protests of the Lebanese grew into direct confrontation with the security forces of the state. The radicalization of these protests forced the authorities to satisfy some of the demands of a significant part of the population, primarily young people. However, the main requirements — new parliamentary and presidential elections with the condition of admission to them of all candidates, regardless of their religious and party affiliation — were not even discussed in the ruling elite. Recent events in Lebanon have convincingly shown that the role and significance of this small Middle Eastern state in the political alignment of forces in the region far exceeds its size and is not without reason attracting the closest attention of the main international players. The struggle for influence in the Middle East depends not least on how and in what time frame the Lebanese Republic will restore its economy and the harmony of all sectors of society.