Hezbollah has gained political ground in Lebanon and consolidated Iran’s influence on the fragile state’s affairs after winning, along with its allies, a small majority in national elections. Despite pre-poll hopes that a civil society movement could break through into Lebanese politics, only one candidate was thought to have been elected. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Saad Hariri blamed his Future Movement’s poor showing on a ‘scheme’ to ‘eliminate’ it from the political process. Its leaders, including those in Hezbollah, have been anxious to avoid the perception that the state is subservient to the party. However, the election results coupled with hardening external views about the economic and political state of Lebanon could pose new variables in a country that can ill afford them.

Source: The Guardian May 07, 2018 17:16 UTC