Politics & Cooperation

Lebanon: The Long Road to Reconstruction and Recovery

28 March 2025. From 12:00 To 13:00 | Webinar | English | Online

Smoke rises in southern Beirut after an Israeli bombardment in mid-October 2024. (Shutterstock: Ali Chehade Farhat)

Lebanon is facing a deep and multifaceted crisis that has severely undermined its political, economic, and social stability. The devaluation of the Lebanese pound, entrenched political sectarianism, and widespread corruption have pushed the country to the brink. The confessional system—once designed to maintain balance—has fostered power fiefdoms dominated by nepotism and clientelism, eroding public trust and fueling mass protests. Amid this turmoil, the recent war between Hezbollah and Israel has further strained a country already battered by economic and political hardships. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November, tensions along the southern border remain high.

After more than two years of political deadlock, a shift in regional power dynamics has allowed Lebanon’s political forces to appoint a successor to Michel Aoun. However, the challenges ahead are immense. The fragile ceasefire, a lack of internal resources, and limited international support hinder recovery efforts, while deep-rooted sectarian divisions continue to obstruct political consensus.

This session will address the challenges Lebanon faces on its long road to reconstruction, including the formation of a new government, the viability of Hezbollah’s disarmament and the role of international community. Key questions to be addressed include: What obstacles hinder stable governance? How can Lebanon tackle its economic crisis and restore trust in state institution? Is Hezbollah’s disarmament feasible in the current context? How can the international support aid reconstruction efforts without deepening divisions?

A webinar on Zoom (register)

This is a webinar within a new edition of the afkar Debates series edition called “Siria and Lebanon: Impact of the Conflict and Paths to Recovery” which will focus on Syria’s political transition following the fall of the Assad regime, exploring the key challenges ahead and the role the EU can play in supporting an inclusive transition, and the challenges Lebanon faces on its long road to reconstruction.

afkar Debates aims to contribute to discussions regarding the most pressing issues in the Mediterranean region.

Other debates of the series: