Lebanon deal - 'no winners or losers'

What a diplomatic coup for Qatar! At last, Lebanese leaders have agreed on a deal to elect a new president and form a unity government—a 'no winner, no loser' arrangement. The stakes were incredibly high: had these talks failed, fighting would have almost certainly broken out in Beirut. Relief is palpable now that an agreement has been reached.

As a result, the opposition has begun dismantling the protest camp in central Beirut, which had persisted for over a year and a half, paralyzing a vital commercial hub of the city. It is expected that Michel Sleiman will be elected as the new president in a special parliamentary session on Sunday.

This deal represents a significant setback for US foreign policy (and Israel). The central aim of the United States' 'New Middle East' policy—to remove Hizbollah and Syria from Lebanon's political equation—has failed. Instead, Hizbollah and Syria find themselves back at the heart of Middle Eastern politics.

The issue of Hizbollah's arms was not a central topic in the negotiations. The pro-government bloc sought a guarantee that Hizbollah would not use its weapons in internal conflicts, and they secured that assurance. Yet, media outlets like Al-Arabiya and BBC Arabic (radio) continued to frame Hizbollah’s disarmament as a primary concern for the Lebanese people. For instance, Rula Al-Ayyoubi, a correspondent in Lebanon, began her street interviews by asserting, "Of course, Hizbollah's arms were the most important issue for the Lebanese people." However, this narrative was challenged even by a pro-government minister, who clarified that their interest was solely in preventing the use of those arms domestically—disarmament was never on the table.

This achievement marks a major diplomatic success for Qatar, bringing an end to a years-long Lebanese crisis. The coming summer will be critical for Lebanon, with expectations of a revival in tourism and business. A brighter future seems within reach.