A postwar Lebanon tries to reknit its society
A fleet of new, brightly colored buses revives public transit. A group of former combatants, now 鈥淔ighters for Peace,鈥� promotes community dialogue. A handful of refurbished movie houses prepare for an International Theatre Festival.
Each of these initiatives in Lebanon is a sign that this Mideast country on the Mediterranean may be restoring its society after Israel鈥檚 war against Hezbollah militants in retaliation for that group鈥檚 attacks on the Jewish state.
Together, the new threads of civic life can help the Lebanese repair a tattered social fabric, a daunting task amid deep political and religious rifts.
鈥淲e must replace sectarian alleyways with a unified path, one party called Lebanon, one sect called the Lebanese sect, and one flag under which we all rally,鈥� President Joseph Aoun stated Monday.
A crucial challenge for the government is disarming various armed groups, especially Hezbollah, which, for decades, has controlled the large Shiite community in southern Lebanon, battling Israeli forces with substantial backing by Iran.
With Hezbollah now severely weakened by Israel, the Lebanese are keen to rebuild their country. 鈥淭his moment,鈥� according to Atlantic Council analyst Kristian Patrick Alexander, 鈥渕arks the opening of a new chapter, specifically Lebanon鈥檚 reckoning with armed pluralism.鈥�
Last week, fighters in Palestinian refugee camps began handing over weapons to the Lebanese army. On Sunday, the government is due to present a plan to disarm Hezbollah. Speaking in Beirut this week, United States special envoy Thomas Barrack stressed the need to provide alternatives to the thousands of Hezbollah fighters and families who have relied on Iran鈥檚 鈥減ayroll.鈥�
鈥淚f we鈥檙e asking a portion of the Lebanese community to give up their livelihood,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e have to help them.鈥�
Ordinary Lebanese already see the value of acknowledging the needs and views of fellow citizens. And they see this happening in simple ways 鈥� such as sitting side by side with others, in a renovated theater or a new bus. For public transit engineer Rami Semaan, using public transport 鈥渕eans more social interaction,鈥� New Lines magazine reports. As actor and director Kassem Istanbouli told Deutsche Welle, a shared performance space can kindle 鈥渟hared social memories 鈥� for Beirut, as well as the whole of Lebanon.鈥�
Change in Lebanon is possible, states the group Fighters for Peace on its website, 鈥渏ust like we have changed.鈥� To the 鈥渇ighters of today,鈥� the group also makes this plea: 鈥淢ake an effort to understand the other or listen to him or love him.鈥�
