Lebanon utilizes a parliamentary system of government. By an unwritten political-ethnic tradition, the elected president of the legislature must be a Maronite Christian who appoints a premier who must be a Sunni Muslim. The entire government is responsible to a National Assembly, whose speaker must be a Shiite Muslim. This system, through which leaders of Lebanon's various ethnic groups exert influence over governmental policy, ensures interfaith cooperation. Generally, Christians favor an independent course for Lebanon stressing ties with Europe, whereas Muslims favor closer ties with surrounding Arab nations. Economic and political self-interest have inspired these diverse groups to attempt to work together during critical periods in the nation's history. Lebanese adaptations of Western ideas have significantly influenced the remainder of the Arab world.
It appeared that Syria would continue to dominate domestic politics in Lebanon and this may have been desirable, since the Syrians were able to maintain a semblance of peace in the troubled country. Many Lebanese were nervous about the possibility that the United States would become more involved in the region after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D. C., in September, 2001. Because some American political leaders regarded the Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, the American global war on terrorism could lead to American actions against this group in Lebanon. Even without new wars in the region, the rebuilding of Lebanon would be a long and difficult process.
Daniel G. Graetzer Updated by the Editors
World History
