Report: Arab, Intl Concerns over Lebanon's Plunge into 'Syria-Iran Axis'

Preparations for Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary elections are underway despite the fact that the “map of alliances” is still vague and highly controversial except for the “Shiite duo” of Hizbullah and the AMAL Movement, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

Composition of alliances between political parties “appears to be very difficult.” Parties hardly declare their alliances finding it sufficing to only declare the candidates, added al-Joumhouria.

In parallel, political sources spoke of “Arab and international concerns that the elections' outcome leads to Lebanon's eventual fall in the Syrian-Iranian axis.” They voiced concerns of attempts to “take advantage” of the country's democracy to grasp “control” of its legislative system.

“The subject was a focal point of discussion during meetings held by ambassadors of key countries concerned with Lebanon,” the sources revealed on condition of anonymity.

The dates have not been yet set for visits of international officials to Lebanon, including French President Emanuel Macron, as they are largely linked to the developments to take place at the Cedar Conference and the Rome II Conference, on the results of the parliamentary elections and on the situation in Syria, they concluded.