Moreover, there is mutual veto power, allowing a community that opposes a particular legislation to vote it down.Ĭhatham House, a leading geopolitics think tank, characterizes Lebanon’s political landscape as corrupt and sectarian, with constant interference from outside actors such as Israel, Syria, and Iran. Each community has autonomy to make decisions within its own realm, while decisions that affect all communities necessitate a coalition between community leaders. The 128 seats in parliament as well as government positions are divided among these religious communities. Lebanon employs a confessional system of government wherein political power is allocated among the country’s religious and ethnic groups proportionate to share of population. This arrangement mandates that the President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of Parliament a Shia Muslim. While the Lebanese constitution guarantees representation for each of the 18 officially recognized religious sects in the government, military, and civil service, this principle primarily manifests in a unique sectarian power-sharing arrangement for the nation’s three top leadership positions. Other Christians include Armenian Catholics, Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholics, Assyrians, Chaldean Catholics, Copts, and Protestants. Greek Orthodox account for 10% and Catholics 6%. Among these, the Maronites are the largest group, representing 20% of the population. Lebanon boasts the highest percentage of Christians among Middle Eastern countries, standing at 32%. There are also smaller Islamic denominations like Alawites and Ismailis. Approximately 68% of the population is Muslim, with 32% Sunni and 31% Shia. While about 95% of Lebanon’s population is Arab, there are also small groups of Armenians and Kurds. Their historical relationships with Israel, allegiances within Lebanon’s fractured political landscape, and relationships with each other will influence the outcome of a potential war. Each has its own identity and political representation. Lebanon is home to a number of ethnic and religious groups, including Maronite Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and the Druze. As tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, the specter of conflict looms large over Lebanon, where a potential war will play out against a complex mosaic of religious and ethnic divides.
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