The ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and France between Israel and Hezbollah marks a key turning point for Lebanon. The ceasefire is intended to be permanent but gives Hezbollah and Israel 60 days to implement it, in which both parties are to withdraw from southern Lebanon. During this period, the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces will slowly step in to fill the vacuum.
Lebanese citizens displaced from their villages along the southern border would then be allowed to return, and parliament would convene to elect a new president and government, after which reconstruction efforts could commence.
If this agreement—reached after painstaking negotiations and over a year of Hezbollah’s "war of support" for Gaza—proves durable, it may pave the way for Lebanon to either return to the foundational principles of its republic or usher in a new era entirely. Will stakeholders be able to breathe new life into the Lebanese state, or will we see the birth of an entirely new one?
Al Majalla explores this question from different angles and perspectives while also laying out potential scenarios. We also zoom in on the role of the Lebanese army. As it steps into a more authoritative role, we ask: will it be able to shoulder the enormous responsibility it has been thrust into? Meanwhile, we look at the prospects for Lebanon’s Shiite community after Hezbollah’s string of setbacks in recent months. How will this integral community fit into a redefined political landscape?
First Republic
The Lebanese Republic was established under the French Mandate, predating the sectarian power-sharing system now integral to Lebanon’s political framework. Its foundation dates back to 1926, when the first constitution was adopted. Charles Debbas, a Catholic lawyer, was elected as the Republic’s first president, while a Maronite Christian held the position of prime minister.
