Hezbollah’s grip

Hezbollah’s grip

West Asia

Article:  Iran-backed Hezabollah winning Lebanon parliamentary elections may deepen political crisis in the country

Analysis:

1. Lebanon has been facing major administrative and regional crisis. Recent major challenges include:

• Breakdown of waste management system
• Power shortage
• Syrian refugee problem which has further put a pressure on public infrastructure
• Poor economy
• Hezabollah is Lebanon’s most powerful Shia movement. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by USA and Israel

1. Lebanon had not held a general election since 2009
2. Hezabollah is Lebanon’s most powerful Shia movement and is opposed to Israel. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by USA and Israel.
3. An anti-Hezbollah alliance led by Hariri won the majority in 2009 elections and Hariri was appointed as Prime Minister
4. In the recently held parliamentary elections, Iran-backed Hezabollah has won maximum number of seats
5. Hezbollah, along with allied groups and individuals, secured 67 seats. The number of seats by Hezabollah remained 13 (same as in 2009 elections), but candidates backed by the group made significant gains
6. Future movement by Hariri won only 21 seats in the recent elections
7. Despite the electoral loss, Hariri could remain Prime Minister being the leader of the largest Sunni Block. This is because of Lebanon’s unique system where Prime Minister must be a Muslim, President a Christian and Parliament speaker a Shia
8. With recent withdrawal of USA from Iran-Nuclear Deal, there has been growing tension in the West Asia. Iran-backed Hezabollah winning parliamentary elections may lead to deepening of political crisis in Lebanon and complicate relations with Israel