In Lebanon, a nascent reform movement faces tough road

By ZEINA KARAM and LUJAIN JO
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s elections brought into parliament 13 new independent lawmakers who hail from the protest movement against the country’s traditional political factions. The strong showing by civil society activists has restored some hope among Lebanese that change is possible. But the reform movement is fragmented and faces enormous challenges in fighting an entrenched, sectarian-based ruling clique. Reformers are divided over many issues, including how to tackle Lebanon’s economic meltdown and how to deal with the militant Hezbollah group, which dominates the country’s politics. The new parliament, sharply divided and with no clear-cut majority, could bring further polarization and paralysis.