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Article: LEBANON: Lahoud's position secure as latest round of talks produce no breakthrough on key issues; early-year economic data more hopeful, but reforms and aid no nearer
- Article from:
- Oxford Economic Country Briefings
- Article date:
- May 5, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Oxford Economic Forecasting May 5, 2006. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Although the next round of talks aimed at ending the deep political divisions in the country is set for 16 May, it is difficult to see any greater success than at previous sessions. With the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority unable to unite over a potential successor, attempts to remove President Emile Lahoud have foundered and he looks increasingly secure in his position until end 2007. In turn, unless the Syrian-backed president can be removed, there is unlikely to be any progress on the other key issue going forward, namely the disarming of Hizbollah, the militant group backed by Syria and Iran. And in the absence of any political breakthrough, the economic outlook remains heavily ...