The United States is proposing new elections in Lebanon to politically diminish Hezbollah in light of Israel’s recent actions against the group. While Saudi Arabia supports this initiative, both Egypt and Qatar have rejected it, labeling it as “unrealistic and even dangerous,” fearing it might destabilize Lebanon further without Hezbollah’s involvement.
The United States has been actively working on a proposal aimed at facilitating elections in Lebanon, with the objective of diminishing the political influence of Hezbollah, particularly in light of recent developments that have seen a perceived decline in the group’s leadership due to Israeli actions. Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reached out to leaders from Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to garner support for this initiative, which is aimed at breaking the longstanding political stalemate in Beirut. The plan suggests that new elections could potentially lead to the removal of Hezbollah’s political power and its veto over presidential selections. However, this initiative is met with skepticism by several Arab states. While Saudi Arabia has shown willingness to support the US proposal, both Egypt and Qatar have expressed significant reservations, characterizing the initiative as “unrealistic and even dangerous.” They assert that any efforts to politically marginalize Hezbollah would likely fail, and emphasize that without its involvement, any political restructuring in Lebanon could result in instability reminiscent of the country’s past civil strife.
The political situation in Lebanon has been complicated by the strong influence of Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and political party that has been a dominant force in the Lebanese political landscape. Following years of conflict and civil war, Lebanon has struggled to establish a stable governance framework. The United States, amidst heightened tensions and military actions from Israel against Hezbollah, seeks to dismantle the group’s political power through a fresh electoral process. However, regional players like Egypt and Qatar are wary of interventions that may exacerbate existing tensions without a clear pathway to stability.
In conclusion, the proposed US plan for Lebanese elections has sparked significant debate among Arab states, revealing deep-seated concerns regarding the feasibility and potential repercussions of such an initiative. While the US aims to leverage perceived weaknesses within Hezbollah, Egypt and Qatar caution that a lack of political involvement from the group could lead to further instability in Lebanon. The divergent responses from regional powers underscore the complexity of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the challenges in fostering a stable political environment in Lebanon.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
