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1 1 (November 8, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govehvr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Updated November 8, 2021 Lebanon Lebanon, a country of 5.5 million people, faces the worst economic crisis in its history amid ongoing political unrest, the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and in the aftermath of an August 2020 explosion that severely damaged the port of Beirut and surrounding areas. Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees in the world per capita (over 1 million, mostly Syrians), which has raised social tensions andstrainedpublic services. U.S.policy has focused on countering the influence of Iran and Hezbollah and on bolstering the Lebanese state while calling for reforms to counter corruption and mismanagement. Lebanon's leaders have warned that the country's economic crisis could lead to a collapse of state institutions. Government Lebanon's confessionalpoliticalsystemdividespower among its three largest religious communities (Maronite Christian, Sunni, Shi'a), to which it allocates the posts of president, prime minister, and parliamentary speaker, respectively. Lebanese President Michel Aoun was elected in 2016 by Lebanon's parliament fora six-year term. Aoun is affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement (Christian), which along with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement (both Shi'a) comprise the major components of the March 8 politicalbloc. Parliamentary elections in 2018 gave the bloc, which advocates close ties with Iran and Syria, a simple majority (68 out of 128 seats). The United States has maintained ties with March 8's politicalrival, known as the March 14bloc, which includes the Future Movement (Sunni), the Lebanese Forces, and Kataeb (both Christian). 2021 Mikati Government In September 2021, Prime Minis ter Najib Mikati and President Michel Aoun agreed onthe formation of a new government, following 13 months of political gridlock. Like the outgoing Diab government, the Mikatigovernrnt is dominated by the March 8 coalition ofHezbollah and its political allies. The new cabinet is to govern until the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for early 2022. Changes to 2022 Elections In October 2021, Lebanon's parliament passed amendments to the country's electoral law that would move up Lebanon's 2022 parliamentary elections to March from May and allow Lebanese abroad to vote in theirhome districts (rather than voting for sixnew MPs to represent the diaspora). The vote came after Parliament's initial legislation approving the measures was retumed to the legislature by President Aoun, whose party (the Free Patriotic Movement) opposes the measures. Expatriates, many ofwhom are expected to support oppositionparties, could have a significantimpact on localelections in their home districts. Following Parliament's secondvote, Aoun stated that the amendments to the electorallaw are now in effect, despitehis refusal to sign them. 4 7 aded n 1/emera190 heka ha th 50e oftea Y eg t1 y114 m IUr iV Vccu e tOry (e < OSy a Source: Created by CRS usingESRI and Google Maps. Beirut Port Expksion and investgaion On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion at the port of Beirut killed over 190 people and injured and displaced thousands. Lebanese officials linked the explosion to 2,750 tons of ammoniumnitrate thathad been confis cated froma disabled cargo ship in 2014 and storedin a warehouse at the port. Authorities named a military judge to lead the investigation into the cause oftheblast; in February 2021 he was replaced after two former ministers charged in the case requested that the case be transferred to another judge. Judge TarekBitar currently leads the investigation. Several Lebanese officials have refusedto appear for questioning, claiming immunity. Two efforts by officials charged in the blast to remove Bitar from the investigation have failed. Blast investigation Triggers Sectarian Violence On October 14, 2021, unknown assailants fired on Hezbollah and Amal supporters who had gathered to protest what they described as Bitar's politicization ofthe Beirut port blast investigation. The clashes triggered a firefight that killed 7 and injured more than 30. Hezbollah and Amal accused the Lebanese Forces of instigating the violence; the Lebanese Forces have stated that Chris tian residents of the area acted in self-defense. The events havebeen described as the worst sectarianclashes in Lebanon since 2008. Hezboflah Hezbollah, subject to U.S. sanctions for its activities in Syria and designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), operates in Lebanon as a militia force, a politicalparty, and a provider of social services. It is linked to Iran, which a) Research Service

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