Lebanese government on the brink of collapse

According to the Associated Press, “The Islamic militant group Hezbollah and its allies plan to resign from the Lebanese Cabinet on Wednesday, a move that would likely topple the government over tensions stemming from the international investigation into the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.”

Eleven ministers are expected to leave Lebanon’s coalition government, led by current Prime Minister Saad Hariri. This is in protest of Lebanon’s involvement in the United Nations tribunal investigating the death of the current prime minister’s father. The tribunal is expected to indict several Hezbollah members for their involvement in the murder.

Hezbollah’s move over the impending indictment has paralyzed the government and is destabilizing the country.

To read what we’ve written about Hezbollah’s involvement in Lebanon’s government click here.

(Update from AP: “Lebanon’s national unity government has collapsed after Hezbollah ministers and their allies resigned over a UN-backed tribunal investigating the assassination of Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.”)