Western Diplomatic Sources Warn Syria Sectarian War Could Spill into Lebanon

Western diplomatic sources have expressed fear that the Syrian uprising would lead to a sectarian war, which could alter the local situation in Lebanon.

It is no secret that the regional situation and the Syrian mutiny in particular are playing a negative role in the Lebanese cabinet formation, the diplomatic circles said.

They considered that Syria was keen on helping Premier-designate Najib Miqati in the formation of the government but the uprising against the Assad regime halted such efforts.

Thus, Syria is no longer capable of contributing to the formation of a one-sided government that would give way to Hizbullah to rule.

The sources urged all the Lebanese parties to prioritize the national sovereignty and cohesion over personal ties, saying unity would prevent the regional turmoil from spilling into Lebanese territory.

The Western circles said that the new majority failed to handle the county’s affairs and the idea of forming a technocrat government is rather intricate amid the current turmoil.

The government formation chaos came because the Lebanese authorities have underestimated the difficulties that would encounter the cabinet formation, they told An Nahar.

They blamed the new majority for the deadlock saying it was incapable of reaching an agreement within its own members, the sources added.