Lebanon Voices Its Concerns to the Arabs... and Reforms are Postponed

Lebanon's official channels engaged in Arab diplomatic activity that filled the domestic scene alongside the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers. However, the unanimous expression of support for the Lebanese people from the visitors will not be sufficient to "cash in" on these positions, as any assistance to Lebanon—the state—will remain contingent upon economic and sovereign reforms. This is despite the ruling class's efforts to appease Arab leaders with pleasant rhetoric about Beirut's commitment to its historical relations with them, and their "lamentations" before them, requesting assistance particularly concerning the Syrian refugee crisis. So far, it seems that these reforms are postponed, amid a wave of differences that quickly surfaced regarding the formation of the government, especially on the Baabda-Saray front. Tensions escalated today with the announcement by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati that he has no intention of withdrawing "Finance" from the Shiite community, criticizing the presidential team's insistence on certain conditions and demands while simultaneously refusing to grant the government confidence.