Encouraging signs in Lebanon

The recent developments on the Lebanese political scene are encouraging and welcome as they bring an end to a serious political impasse that has engulfed the country for a very long time.

Now that all parties have finally come together on a common ground, it is crucial that proactive steps are taken immediately so that the government is able to carry out its responsibilities and duties towards the people.

Last week, Hezbollah announced that the opposition alliance it leads has agreed to join a unity government under Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri and with this, a bitter deadlock between the two sides ended. Yet, what is more important here is the fact that Lebanon has remained without a new cabinet for five consecutive months. The disagreement between the opposition and the government has crippled the latter to the maximum. If such a situation continues, it brings risks to the stability and prosperity of the country.

Lebanon has been on a long and fragile road to heal its political disagreements. The current chance to build a bridge of reconciliation should not be thwarted — neither by the government nor by the opposition.