Listen to the article
On a political level, 2023 has been overall a year of stagnation for Lebanon. It was marked by significant setbacks, such as the failure to elect a President of the Republic and establish State sovereignty.
This is Beirut compiled a summary of the key political events that have shaped Lebanon’s landscape throughout 2023.
The Investigation into Beirut’s Port Explosion
Three years and three months after the deadly double explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, the investigation remains at a standstill: victims are subject to arrest warrants, and Judge Tarek Bitar is still unable to make progress and move along.
The ‘Group of Five’ and the French Emissary
On February 6, in Paris, the meetings of what would later be called the “Group of Five” kicked off. Representatives from the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt convened in the French capital to discuss “hot” Lebanese issues, particularly the presidential election.
On June 7, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed his former Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian as a special envoy for Lebanon with the task of addressing the country’s political deadlock. Despite three visits to Lebanon, Le Drian, unfortunately, did not succeed in reaching an agreement or a viable solution.
Abbas Ibrahim’s End of Term
On March 2, General Abbas Ibrahim’s mandate officially came to an end after nearly 12 years at the helm of the General Security. He was replaced by General Elias Baissari, whose term has been extended by nine months to oversee the interim period.
Cross-border and Inter-Palestinian Clashes
On April 6, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, arrived in Beirut for a “private visit.” Concurrently, 35 rockets were launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel. The latter attributed the attacks to Hamas. If those missile attacks were indeed carried out by Palestinians, Hezbollah was most probably involved, given its significant influence in the region.
On Sunday, July 29, deadly clashes erupted in the Palestinian camp of Ain el-Helwe, following the assassination of a high-ranking Fatah security official, marking a troubling development amid the ongoing power struggles between the Palestinian Authority and various Islamist groups.
Moreover, clashes resumed in the camp in September.
Postponement of the Municipal Elections
On April 18, the Parliament voted to extend the term of municipal councils and mokhtars for up to one year. As a result, their mandate is set to conclude by May 31, 2024, at the latest.
The Syrian Refugees Crisis
On April 23, Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces, opened a can of worms regarding the complex issue of Syrian refugees, emphasizing the urgency of a solution.
On August 9, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees agreed to share its data concerning Syrian refugees in Lebanon. However, the actual implementation did not take place until December.
The (Unresolved) Presidential Election
On April 26, in a televised interview, Sleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada party, formally announced his candidacy for the presidency, backed by Hezbollah.
On June 4, MP Michel Moawad formally withdrew his candidacy for the presidency of the Republic, throwing his support behind Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia department at the International Monetary Fund. This endorsement came from a coalition of 32 opposition MPs. The day before, the Free Patriotic Movement led by Gebran Bassil had announced its support for Azour’s candidacy.
On June 14, during the 12th electoral session – since the end of Michel Aoun’s term –, Jihad Azour secured 59 votes against 51 for Sleiman Frangieh. Subsequently, no further electoral sessions have taken place, leaving the country in a state of presidential vacancy ever since October 31, 2022.
Hezbollah’s Show of Force
On May 21, Hezbollah conducted a military demonstration in Mlita, South Lebanon, in the presence of both local and international press. The pro-Iranian party showcased its weaponry, artillery, drones, and the operational capabilities of its fighters, turning the whole episode into a highly political military demonstration.
On July 6, two rockets were launched towards Israel from South Lebanon. In retaliation, the Israeli army conducted airstrikes on Lebanese territory. A few days earlier, the Israeli military had erected a fence in the Lebanese section of the village of Ghajar. This move followed Hezbollah’s establishment of two tents in the disputed area of the Kfarchouba hills.
Teymour Joumblatt at the Helm of the PSP
On June 25, MP Teymour Joumblatt officially took over the leadership of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), succeeding his father, the Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, who led the party for 46 years.
The Kornet al-Sawda Incident
On July 1st, two men from the Tawk family were shot and killed in Kornet el-Sawda, in North Lebanon. Multiple accounts point to a longstanding dispute between the residents of Bsharreh and those of Bkaasafrine (Denniyeh) over water sources as the root cause.
Riad Salameh’s End of Term
On July 31, Riad Salameh concluded his tenure as the Governor of the Lebanese Central Bank, and Wassim Mansouri, the First Deputy Governor, took over the position.
The Kahaleh Incident
On August 9, a Hezbollah truck carrying ammunition overturned in Kahaleh. The army was mobilized and the tense situation led to two casualties, including a resident of the town.
Drilling Operations
On August 22, Exploration activities in Block 9 began. However, TotalEnergies communicated to the Lebanese Ministry of Energy the suspension of drilling operations, as they had reached a depth of 3,900 meters without any significant findings.
The Hamas-Israel War
On October 7, Hamas conducted a deadly incursion into Israel, prompting a violent response from the Israeli state. Subsequently, the situation escalated in South Lebanon, resulting in a growing toll of civilian casualties, widespread home destruction, and the displacement of at least 60,000 people from the south to other regions.
The Extension of Joseph Aoun’s Mandate
On December 15, the Parliament approved a bill extending the retirement age of officers holding the rank of general or major general by one year. Consequently, this legislative decision extended the mandates of the Army Commander-in-Chief Joseph Aoun, the Director of the Internal Security Forces Imad Osman, and the interim Director of the General Security, Elias Baissari.
Overall, the political events of 2023 highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Lebanon. Despite numerous opportunities to address the power vacuum, none were capitalized on, as the State’s sovereignty keeps on being persistently undermined.
