The fate of this arrangement, however, depends on the ability of the coalition partners to manage the differences likely to crop up — in the larger interest of the country’s stability.
The dilemma facing Hariri since the June elections has been of appeasing a picky and difficult coalition. With a huge demand for key government portfolios, the initial attempts to cobble together a coalition failed miserably. So much so, Hariri said in September that he would abandon further attempts, leaving the task to the president.
Lebanon has seen enough of political tumult over the past five years. Things got out of hand after the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, allegedly involving Syria. The West and Saudi-backed majority coalition, led now by Saad Hariri, was pitched against an opposition that had the backing of Syria and Iran. Following the resignation en masse of Shia ministers from the unity government in 2006, a civil war broke out. Hectic negotiations led by Qatar resulted in a welcome lull to the bitter fighting and saw the emergence of a national government in 2008. The elections held in June next year did not bring about the desired order and stability the country badly needed. This is why the formation of this unity coalition is so crucial for Lebanon. It has been born out of turmoil and civil war and deserves a chance to grow and flourish.
While politics in Lebanon has always been shaped by internal strife and proxy conflicts of external elements, the responsibility for stabilizing internal dynamics rests on its political groupings. Irrespective of sectarian and ideological differences, Lebanon enjoys a unique homogeneity among its people. A true melting pot of religion, sects and culture, Lebanon’s tragedy stems from the politics of vested interests. It is not something inherent in the system, but has been imposed from outside. The groups within Lebanon should realise the implications of exploiting politics for the sake of individual expediency.
It may be time for Hariri to prove his mettle at the helm of Lebanon’s politics and outline a new set of priorities after consulting his allies. Formulating a collective agenda, which places equal responsibility on coalition partners to steer the country towards stability, both political and socio-economic, should be the top priority.
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