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Article: Beirut edges towards stability: the first meeting of Lebanon's government of national unity after 18 months of deadlock offers evidence that the country's rival political factions are finally willing to work together.(GOVERNANCE)
- Article from:
- MEED Middle East Economic Digest
- Article date:
- August 29, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 MEED Middle East Economic Digest. All Rights Reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In Lebanon, events can gather momentum with dizzying speed, even after long periods of inertia. In May, Hezbollah took control of Beirut's vital arteries, rolling convoys of pick-up tracks filled with paramilitaries into the Lebanese capital and threatening to bring down the government. Now it is the armoured vehicles and Hummers of the Lebanese Army that patrol the streets. The tent city used by pro-Western activists to blockade downtown cafes and offices in protest at Hezbollah's incursion has been dismantled, replaced by throngs of oblivious tourists.
The Lebanese parliament has not been convened for more than a year, but there is a palpable sense in the ...