Speaking to the Italian Institute for The Study of International Politics, Triangle’s Director of Policy, Sami Halabi, describes how Lebanon’s place in the Arab League has seen its crises shift down in the list of the League priorities.

“The past three years of unprecedented crisis in Lebanon have shown how far the country has fallen down the list of priorities of Arab League states, not to mention the international community. Bolstered by higher oil prices, the centres of political and financial gravity at the Arab League have little interest in getting involved in the morass of Lebanon’s economic and financial woes.

Nuanced by their own interests in Lebanon, this lack of appeal is driven by a perception among powerful Arab League states that Iran, through its proxy Hezbollah, currently wields a dominant share of power over the country and thus should inherit its problems. As a result, Lebanon’s stability, hydrocarbon prospects, financing for an IMF programme, and even progress on Israel-Palestine are long-term issues that may get a mention at the Arab League summit, however, likely not a real commitment to resolution from the Arab League. Instead, the message from the League would likely be to rebalance Arab (specifically Saudi) influence with that of Iran before any substantive support is offered.”

Sami Halabi, Director of Policy; and Co-Founder, Triangle