Due to being the highest Christian-populated Middle Eastern country, Lebanon has a continuation of political problems. The Lebanese Government is a parliamentary system, having both a prime minister and a president. Prime Minister Saad Hariri met with American President Barack Obama resulting in 11 members of the Lebanese cabinet dropping out, and leaving Lebanon with no government. These members are part of Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim political group who dislike America and now want nothing to do with Hariri due to this meeting.

Hariri met with Obama regarding the assassination of his father and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Lebanon has been without any governmental control since January 12.

“Us students are fearing the worst; anyone can take a gun and kill and with no political government,” said Souad Abboud, a student at the American University of Beirut. “No one can stop them.”

The people of Lebanon are living in fear and awaiting attack. Saad Hariri is no long prime minister and there are elections being held to choose a successor. Hezbollah nominated their candidate for prime minister, awaiting their chance to take over Lebanon and gain absolute power. Najib Makiti is in the running.  After World War I, Lebanon was a mandate of France. At the end of 1941, Lebanon gained independence from France, and in an agreement to calm religious differences, it was made that there must be a Christian president, a Sunni Muslim prime minister and a Shiite national assembly speaker.

Hezbollah, being a Shiite Muslim group, will cause many problems for Lebanon if they succeed in making Makiti Lebanon’s Prime Minister. After Obama’s meeting with Hariri, the White House released a statement saying that the actions by Hezbollah, “only demonstrate their own fear and determination to block the government’s ability to conduct its business and advance the aspirations of all of the Lebanese people.” Hezbollah is causing many problems for Lebanese people. Mostly all Christians and Sunni Muslims favor Hariri, and all fear for their lives. Obama highly praised Hariri for his “steadfast leadership and efforts to reach peace, stability, and consensus in Lebanon under difficult circumstances.”

Hezbollah was deemed a terrorist group in America, and if they gain control of the Lebanese Government, war could very easily break loose. The Lebanese people are now responding with protests and demonstrations, accusing Hezbollah of staging a coup. Roads all over Lebanon are being blocked, and America is warning that if Hezbollah gains control, an alliance will no longer be possible. “A Day for Anger” was called in response to the acceptance of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s choice of a new prime minister. Hezbollah and their allies have enough voters to win the election, leaving the country of Lebanon, as well as its people, on the brink of warfare.