Delays in forming a new government have sowed widespread disappointment in Lebanon despite the appointment of a president and prime minister. Before they could even get started, it seems that President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam's tenures are already faltering. Lebanon's political heavyweights— Hezbollah and Amal, not-so-affectionately referred to as the "Shiite duo"—seem to be the reason.
They have been quick to post Lebanese residents' jubilant return to their villages on social media and political platforms but have been conspicuously silent on the 24 Lebanese who were killed and over 100 injured after Israeli troops shot at them while returning to their homes.
Instead, they use tried-and-tested tactics to cling to power through the “weapons for corruption” strategy they have adopted since the 2008 Doha Accord was signed. These two forces of Lebanon’s politics—corruption and weapons—have long protected each other. Whenever an opportunity arises to confront either corruption or the unchecked proliferation of arms, the two forces reinforce each other’s survival.
Dashed hopes
Aoun and Salam's selection seemed to demonstrate a renewed will to confront the pillars of corruption in the country after Israel weakened Hezbollah through a series of deadly blows in the latter half of 2024.
