Lebanon in Limbo

Twelve years after wars have ended, Lebanon is in a state of limbo: while not any more in the centre of the Middle Eastern conflicts, the country remains under their impact (Samir Kassir). Ethno-religious communities persist (Iliya Harik, Samir Khalaf), but a modernisation of their co-existence is explored (Ahmad Beydoun, Nawaf Salam). It meets with obstacles: entrepreneurial middle classes are weakened by emigration, social cleavages deepened (Salim Nasr). Considerable achievements in reconstruction were followed by economic stagnation (Boutros Labaki). The danger of authoritarianism by diffusion cannot be overlooked (Farid el-Khazen). A representative survey (Theodor Hanf) shows, that the Lebanese have drawn lessons from the war: they refuse use of violence and war. Willingness to co-exist in diversity has increased. Citizens do not particularly value their political leaders. Yet, they remain democrats by conviction.