Prime Minister Najib Mikati succeeded in forming a new government, ending more than a year of stalemate.
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LEBANON IN CRISIS
Lebanon has survived civil war, foreign occupation, political assassinations and other crises over the past 45 years. But the current political and economic disaster -- exacerbated by a massive explosion at the Beirut port in August and the COVID-10 pandemic -- has pushed the country to the brink of starvation. More than half the population is living in poverty. Foreign aid is contingent on government reform that has yet to materialize. Said one Beirut woman, “There is so much sadness and pain."
Without gasoline, electricity and reliable Internet, covering the news in Lebanon has become a daily struggle for journalists and media institutions.
Syrian refugees, who fled to Lebanon for safety when an uprising in 2011 quickly turned into a civil war, are reluctant to return home.
Severe fuel shortages have spurred people to seize gasoline tanks, storm storm electricity stations and even burn the house of a man held responsible for a petrol tank blast.
Survivors and families of victims remain traumatized -- as much by a lack of accountability for the explosion as their visceral memories of the violence.
A "typical" day starts with finding an open gas station, hunting for medications or baby milk, struggling with power cuts and praying against getting sick -- or simply to survive the day.
The telecoms tycoon -- a former prime minister -- is tasked with the hard mission of forming a new Cabinet to stop the collapse of the ailing country and supervise next year's general elections.
After nine months of trying to form a new Cabinet, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri simply gave up.
Hezbollah, the main player in efforts to resolve Lebanon's crisis, operates with no accountability -- and answers to Iran.
With their savings accounts blocked by the banks since the latest financial crisis started in 2019 and the collapse of the Lebanese pound, families have been unable to pay the tuition.
With the failure to form a new government, the re-election of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fueled speculation about a new Syrian role in stabilizing its neighbor. But experts say it's unlikely.
A warning that Lebanon will gradually plunge into total darkness as cash runs out to buy fuel for power stations is coming true. The electric company has started rationing power to a few hours a day.
A Saudi decision to ban Lebanese produce over drug smuggling was a warning against the country's rising lawlessness, but also a message linked to Iran's talks with the kingdom and the role of its militias.
Gone are the times when people could afford nice clothes, branded products, new cars, the latest cellphones and housekeepers.
Lebanon is seeking a resumption of U.S.-mediated negotiations over its maritime border with Israel, putting on hold new claims to more offshore territory and inviting international experts to step in.
Food insecurity has become a major source of concern. The country has been added to a list of the world's 20 worst hunger hot spots in need of urgent assistance.
The country, which has been relying heavily on migrant workers in recent decades, is no longer an attractive place to them.
Gen. Joseph Aoun criticized the ruling political leaders for doing practically nothing to rescue the country, which has resulted in discontent and growing malaise within the Lebanese army.
Lebanon is losing its highly skilled workforce, with an increasing number of doctors, nurses and engineers leaving out of despair and uncertainty.
Under close watch by the World Bank and international humanitarian organizations, Lebanon has begun a smooth COVID-19 vaccination campaign that is expected to last at least a year to contain the virus.
The slaying of an anti-Hezbollah Shiite activist and unrest in Tripoli have increased fears the country is slipping into "security chaos" and facing an Iraq-style wave of silencing peaceful activists.
Bank depositors in Lebanon, who woke up one day to find their life savings are stuck in the banks, are bracing for the worst: Most of their money, if not all, is gone and cannot be recovered.
The removal of a judge who charged four senior politicians with negligence in the Beirut port explosion has raised fears of "political interference" and prompted renewed calls for an international investigation.
Non-governmental groups have taken the lead in helping those affected by the Beirut blast, while the country's politicians still fight over the formation of a new government.
Aid from France, the U.S. and other countries may have helped prevent the collapse of the country and avert a civil war. But further efforts to help resolve the economic crisis hinge on rooting out corruption.
