Lebanon

The Carter Center observed June 7, 2009, parliamentary elections in Lebanon, a country marked by recent civil strife and political instability.

Waging Peace

After years of Syrian involvement in Lebanon, the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, coupled by growing international pressure, sparked a strong grassroots movement that pressured Syria to withdraw its presence from Lebanon in 2005. A series of demonstrations, or the so-called Cedar Revolution, marked a new era of Lebanese independence and showed the power of individuals to promote political change through peaceful demonstration. The promise of political liberalization, namely the organization of parliamentary elections, and an international commission to investigate the death of former Prime Minister Hariri arose from the protesters' demands.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in Lebanon >