Lebanon’s political rift deepens as president and parliament chief stop communicating

Political tensions in Lebanon have escalated sharply following the signing of a framework agreement in Washington, with senior officials now at loggerheads over how to proceed. A high-ranking political source told Lebanese newspaper al-Diyar that the political friction, which intensified after the agreement was signed, shows no signs of abating and remains clearly visible in the disagreements between Lebanon’s top leadership regarding implementation of the accord and next steps.

Most significantly, all communication has broken down between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, according to the source. The two leaders are fundamentally at odds over the framework agreement and its implications for the country’s future direction.

The framework agreement, negotiated in Washington, was intended to address key issues facing Lebanon as it grapples with its severe economic and political crisis. However, rather than unifying the country’s fractious leadership, the accord appears to have deepened existing divisions amongst Lebanon’s most powerful figures.

The complete absence of dialogue between Aoun and Berri — two of Lebanon’s most influential political actors — represents a significant obstacle to consensus-building on how the agreement should be implemented. Lebanon’s political system relies heavily on consensus between its various sectarian leaders, making such a breakdown particularly concerning for the country’s stability and the agreement’s prospects for success.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.