It is understandable that Lebanon will be in a celebratory mood for the next few days as Michel Aoun was elected President, following more than two years of a deadlock. But then the real work must begin now.
There are priorities, which Aoun has addressed in his speech before the parliament on Monday, that Lebanon needs to focus on to reset the system, which has been paralysed for so long. Firstly, there is the formation of government, expected to be led by former prime minister Sa’ad Al Hariri.
The new cabinet must be chosen carefully and on the basis of competence — not on the customary nepotism and sectarian calculations. Fighting corruption, as Aoun promised, should be high on the agenda of the new government.
Then there is the stagnant economy. The rise of unemployment, the staggering inflation and the increasing number of Syrian refugees have all had a devastating impact on the economy. Politics in Lebanon has also impacted the economy as thousands of tourists chose to stay away in the past three years due to the involvement of the country’s powerful militia, Hezbollah, in the Syrian war. This has led to the deterioration of ties with many Arab countries, especially in the Gulf whose tourists have always been a main source of income.
But many believe that the main challenge ahead for the new president, who is a key ally of Iran-backed Hezbollah, is to bring Lebanon back into the Arab fold. Lebanon has been for long a favourite playground of Iranian expansionist policies.
The domination of Hezbollah, a co-culprit in the crimes committed in Syria by the regime for five years, has antagonised Arab states and made Iran a key player in Lebanese politics. As Aoun vowed in his oath of presidency, he must work hard to regain his country’s independence and end the Iranian political dominance.
He could start by ending Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict and then address the issue of the militia’s weapons, which threaten the unity, security and sectarian balance of Lebanon.
The challenges facing President Aoun are massive, but he will be supported by all Arabs states if he chooses to fight for an independent Lebanon.
