Lebanon Forms New Gov't After 13 Months Of Political Paralysis

After 13 months of negotiations, political paralysis, and economic collapse, Lebanon has a new gov't, led by PM-Designate Najib Mikati, who previously served as PM in 2005 and from 2011-14.

• Mikati, a billionaire telecoms tycoon, has his work cut out for him in a country going through a tumult said by the World Bank to potentially be among the three worst economic collapses since the year 1800, and still reeling from an explosion in the capital, Beirut, in 2020 that killed hundreds and cost millions of dollars worth of damage.
• While not an influential regional power, Lebanon remains crucial in terms of MidEast stability given the presence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in the country and the frequent clashes between the group and Israel to the south.
• If bleeding from the Lebanese economic collapse can be stemmed, and the new political leadership foster a smoother relationship with Israel it could prove supportive to regional stability.