How long did the lebanon war last

Over the period of one month the country lost most of what it had achieved since the end of its civil war. Initially, Hezbollah appeared to gather strength out of this conflict. Its prestige in the Arab world increased dramatically. The end of the war contributed to strengthening the Lebanese State in a formal way, in the face of the power and influence exerted thus far by Hezbollah and its various ramifications.

Lebanon is faced with a serious institutional crisis that is dividing the country in two, and for which no easy solution is envisaged. A pacific solution to this situation can only be found nationally by way of dialogue and agreement. There is yet another factor to consider along with the high complexity of Lebanese society and politics: the external dimension of the Lebanese crisis. This external aspect poses great difficulties in the way of finding a solution to the crisis, since it introduces conditions that are not strictly relevant to the current internal debate between the government and the opposition, but are rather instrumental to the conflict involving such countries.

Some of the main points of disagreement, such as the designation of an international tribunal to judge those responsible for the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri and for other political crimes seem to be more relevant in this external dimension rather than internally.

When the war broke out moderate Arab states were faced with a dilemma. On the contrary, a defeat of the Party of God may have a positive influence over the conflict they have with the Muslim Brotherhood.

The limit was drawn by what came to be known as the slaughter of Qana. From that moment on, the Arab governments showed their solidarity with Lebanon and openly criticized the Israeli aggression. It is worth to underscore the conclusions that can be drawn at the end of the war between Israel and Lebanon, even if these are not new.

There is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East. A solution for the devastating conflicts of this region can only be achieved through negotiations.

Those who wage on violence as a means to resolve controversies only contribute to create more violence and radicalization between the parties involved. All the current conflicts in the Middle East are interrelated.

It is impossible to solve any of them in an isolated manner, without taking account of the other conflicts. Therefore, the only feasible solution is a comprehensive solution. This interrelatedness should not lead to considering all conflicts equally or finding solutions that are comparable to all of them. In particular, the Israel-Palestine is in at the heart of all crisis. It is a conflict resulting from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Let us not ignore that this is the greatest affront for the Arab world, one that is perceived as such by its population. As long as no progress is made in the peace process there is no possible solution for the rest of conflicts.

The Palestinian question is at the heart of this problem, and our first efforts must be dedicated to it. But a solution shall only possible if progress is made towards resolving the other conflicts in the region, particularly on the Syrian and Lebanese sides. A crisis in which the main actors of this zone appear internally weakened is one of the current problems, and peace is unlikely to be inspired by the region itself. Forces and trends in favour of peace can be found in the Middle East, but they need a boost from outside the Arab world.

The US has shown little interest in promoting the Peace Process in recent years. This may be explained by the fact that they have many fronts to attend in the region, for their perception of the Arab-Israeli conflict or for the importance they give to the Palestinian side.

Nonetheless, it is fair to acknowledge that in recent months State Secretary Condoleezza Rice fostered a series of bilateral contacts between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian Presidency. Therefore, the only feasible solution is a comprehensive one. Even though the US is a relevant actor in the region, Europe is bound to play a decisive role in the Peace Process. Former Syrian intelligence officer Mohammed Zuhair al-Siddiq arrested in connection with killing, and four pro-Syrian Lebanese generals held since freed after court rules there is not enough evidence to convict them.

The accused are members of Hezbollah, which says it won't allow their arrest. Opposition blames Syria. UN praises Lebanese families for having taken in more than a third of the , Syrian refugees who have streamed into the country.

Najib Mikati's government resigns amid tensions over upcoming elections. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vows victory in Syria. Parliament votes to put off elections due in June until November because of security concerns over the conflict in Syria. At least 17 Lebanese soldiers are killed in clashes with Sunni militants in the port city of Sidon.

This makes it illegal for Hezbollah sympathisers in Europe to send the group money, and enables the freezing of the group's assets there. The twin attacks, which are linked to tensions over the Syrian conflict, are the deadliest in Lebanon since the end of the civil war in It is one of the worst attacks in Shia southern Beirut since the conflict in Syria began.

Senior Hezbollah commander Hassan Lakkis is shot dead near Beirut. Hezbollah accuses Israel of assassinating him. Israel denies any involvement. Former Lebanese minister and opposition figure Mohamad Chatah - a Sunni Muslim who was also a staunch critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - is killed by a car bomb in central Beirut.

The accelerating influx means that one in every four people living in Lebanon is now a refugee from the Syrian conflict. Several attempts are made in parliament over subsequent months to choose a successor. The Vatican arranges a ceasefire. In October, Syrian forces drive Aoun out of the presidential palace.

He goes into exile in France. Parliament passes an amnesty law pardoning all political crimes as the civil war comes to an end. Rafik al-Hariri, a Saudi-backed billionaire, becomes prime minister after the first post-war election. Hariri is killed on Feb. Mass demonstrations and international pressure force Syria to withdraw troops from Lebanon. In July, Hezbollah crosses the border into Israel, kidnaps two Israeli soldiers and kills others, sparking a five-week war. At least 1, people in Lebanon and Israelis are killed.

In November, Hezbollah and its allies quit the cabinet led by Western-backed Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and organise street protests against it. Hezbollah and its allies maintain a sit-in protest against the Siniora government for the entire year. Their stated demand is veto power in the government. Wissam Eid, a police intelligence officer investigating the Hariri assassination, is killed by a car bomb in January.

The cabinet vows legal action against the network. Hezbollah said the move against its telecoms network was a declaration of war by the government.

After a brief conflict, Hezbollah takes control of mainly Muslim west Beirut. After mediation, rival leaders sign a deal in Qatar to end 18 months of political conflict. Hezbollah fighters deploy in Syria to aid government forces facing a Sunni rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad. In October, a car bomb kills senior security official Wissam al-Hassan.