Context: The Lebanese government has resigned amid growing public anger following a devastating explosion in Beirut on 4 August that killed at least 200 people and injured about 5,000 others. The blast came at a difficult time for Lebanon, which is not only trying to curb the spread of the coronavirus but is also mired in an unprecedented economic crisis. The economic situation has pushed tens of thousands people into poverty and triggered large anti-government protests. 

About the incidence

• There were two explosions in the central port area of Beirut which occurred barely within minutes of each other within nearby buildings.
• The blast affected residents living as far as 10 kilometres away from the site and was felt upto 250 Km.
• The blast created seismic waves equivalent to a magnitude 3.3 earthquake.
• The blasts were likely triggered by over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been confiscated and stored by authorities near the port for over six years.
• A two-week state emergency has been imposed in Beirut following the blast.

Implications

On Economic front: 

• Lebanon is an import-dependent country. The badly damaged port facility is Lebanon’s largest maritime gateway and it will make essential items expensive and threaten food security in the country.
• Lebanon has already been struggling with a huge economic meltdown, with the rapid devaluation of the local currency and a volatile exchange rate on the black market fueling inflation, shuttering businesses, unemployment and poverty.
• It had also defaulted on a Eurobond repayment in March 2020.
• It is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a $10 billion loan program.
• The blast will pose an additional financial burden of rebuilding the city.

On Political front: 

• Lebanon faced nationwide protests against corruption, economic mismanagement and sectarian politics in October 2019, which forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
• This blast along with the growing economic crisis can again cause social unrest.
• Health: The country’s health system is already burdened with the patients of Covid-19 pandemic and the victims of blast will add to this.

How is Lebanon’s political set-up constituted?

• Lebanon has many religions and sects within its borders and has seen many civil wars since its formation.
• After the end of the 15 years war in 1990, it evolved a complex power sharing arrangement to accommodate all major groups.
• Accordingly, the Presidency was reserved for a ‘Maronite christian’, the Prime Minister-ship for a ‘Sunni Muslim’ and the parliamentary speaker’s post for a ‘Shia Muslim’.
• Lebanon has also been a checker-board for geo-political games between Iran & Saudi Arabia - each operating through their respective proxies. 
• Notably, Hezbollah, a shia’ite pro-Iranian group is very active in the country and controls swathes of territory.

How is the anti-Hezbollah alliance taking shape?

• Israel saw Hezbollah as a treat to its northern border and attacked Lebanon in 2006 to destroying Hezbollah, but failed.
• Since then, Hezbollah has amassed weapons from Iran and has got battlefield training in the Syrian civil war.
• Its political arm has also successfully developed enormous popular influence in Lebanon.
• Saudi Arabia is naturally concerned about this growing military and political clout of an Iranian proxy.
• Notably, U.S. President Trump has backed Saudi policies in Lebanon and Riyadh also has the silent support of Israel.

How does the future look?

• Possible War - Saudis would like to see another Sunni leader who takes a confrontational view of Hezbollah to reign Lebanon.
• It has also asked its citizens to leave Lebanon, signalling potential military action.
• Given its capabilities and history of resistance, Hezbollah may retaliate if its core interests come under attack.
• Hope - While the memories of the brutal 1975-90 civil war are still fresh, another civil war would benefit nobody within Lebanon. 
• Hezbollah should threfore to address the concerns of its coalition partners and work to preserve the delicate political balance.

Lebanon

• It is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
• Beirut: It is the capital and largest city of Lebanon.It is located on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of the Lebanon Mountains.
• Lebanon was conquered by the Ottomans in the 16th century and remained under their rule for the next 400 years.
• Following the empire's collapse after World War I, it came under the control of French, from which it gained independence in 1943.
• Lebanon witnessed Civil war from 1975-1990 that was a result of conflict between various factions like the Christians, the left-wing Druze and the Muslims and was interspersed with Israeli invasions targeting the palestinian militants in Lebanon.
• The present government in Lebanon is confessionalist parliamentary democracy.
• Confessionalism is a system of government which apportions seats in its legislature to different groups of people strictly based on demographic composition.