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Ultimate test for Lebanon
The country now is in no position to gamble losing what has been achieved thus far.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:18 July 12, 2008
With the unity government finally taking shape in Lebanon, the task ahead will require that all efforts be allocated to ensure the agreement reached is not sabotaged. The country now is in no position to gamble losing what has been achieved thus far in terms of bringing conflicting positions closer together. The election of a new president and the government formation are two major milestones given that Lebanon was on the verge of possibly plunging into chaos and civil war. "The government has two main tasks: regaining confidence in the Lebanese political system ... and securing the holding of a transparent parliamentary election. Our differences will not be resolved overnight, but we have decided to resolve them through dialogue rather than in the streets," said Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
What needs to be tackled is surely an uphill task especially as the long political divide and fighting have negatively affected the general atmosphere in the country. The first and foremost aspect that needs to be addressed is the regaining of the confidence of the general public in the political system and its ability to address people's concerns and hopes. It is the ultimate test of the effectiveness of the new government.
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