Introduction

The political landscape of Lebanon has long been shaped by a fragile sectarian balance and institutional dysfunction. The recent election of President Joseph Aoun has sparked renewed discussions on the future of Lebanon’s statehood and governance. This comes after a prolonged presidential vacuum, and a series of cascading crises including refugee crisis, covid, a severe financial meltdown, the port of Beirut explosion and recently a devastating war with Israel. As the country embraces a new political leadership, there is a genuine opportunity to set in motion far-reaching reforms. A new Lebanon, built on a reinvigorated foundation of state institutions, could soon emerge from the ashes of past crises. However, the path ahead is not without significant hurdles.

A webinar organized by the Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, American University of Beirut (AUB), titled “Lebanon’s Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations: Revisiting Chehabism,” explored Lebanon’s governance challenges and reform prospects through the lens of Chehabism, a vision promoted by President Fouad Chehab during his presidency (1958-1964).

The panel, which featured insights from Frederic C. Hof, Senior Fellow at Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement, and Lamia Moubayed, President of the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan, raised crucial questions about Lebanon’s current political trajectory and the relevance of Chehab’s governance principles in navigating the nation’s ongoing crises. The session aimed to assess Lebanon’s potential for state-building, institutional reform, and re-engagement with the international community.

The Chehabist Legacy: A Foundation for Reform

The session was opened by highlighting the long-standing challenges Lebanon faces, particularly its entrenched sectarian system and institutional dysfunction, emphasizing that Lebanon’s current political environment, under the leadership of President Aoun, presents a critical juncture for state-building and reform. Central to this discussion was the legacy of President Fouad Chehab, whose tenure is remembered for his vision of a unified, law-abiding nation, though compromised later by a stronghold of feudal and sectarian political landscape. To a large extent, President Aoun’s inaugural address mirrored a “Chehabist” vision of reform, signaling a potential departure from Lebanon’s sectarian-based governance.

Chehabism in Practice: Challenges and Opportunities

Lamia Moubayed underscored the heightened expectations accompanying President Aoun’s election, acknowledging the severe economic, social, and financial crises Lebanon faces including instating a permanent ceasefire and the restoration of security , humanitarian efforts to prioritize the safe return of displaced citizens to their rebuilt homes, mobilizing resources needed to finance reconstruction and recovery amounting to more than $12 billion, and rebuilding trust and strong cooperation ties with international partners, particularly from the GCC and key regional actors like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Furthermore, true recovery hinges on a bold and comprehensive approach—spanning fiscal, monetary, banking, and social reforms—to tackle Lebanon’s deeply rooted economic and institutional crises.

This is just the beginning of a transformative journey for Lebanon.” She questioned whether Aoun’s vision for a unified Lebanon could be realized amidst deep political resistance and entrenched systemic dysfunction. Moubayed called for leveraging Chehab’s legacy as a means to rebuild public trust and mobilize the resources necessary for overcoming Lebanon’s crises.

Frederic C. Hof expressed cautious optimism about Lebanon’s future, suggesting that President Aoun’s leadership might be a turning point, though significant challenges remain. Hof emphasized that the Lebanese government must rebuild institutions from the ground up, especially after decades of corruption and dysfunction. He noted the critical importance of placing competent and capable individuals in key administrative positions to ensure that Lebanon’s state apparatus can function effectively.

Building Trust and Principled Leadership

The panelists discussed the importance of principled public leadership in addressing Lebanon’s crises. Both Hof and Moubayed stressed the need for integrity, competence, and public service values in the leadership of the country. Hof pointed out the necessity of engaging technical expertise and fostering a culture of merit-based appointments within Lebanon’s civil service.

Moubayed further advocated for direct communication between the leadership and the Lebanese public, drawing on Chehab’s approach of rebuilding trust. She suggested that modern communication platforms, such as social media, could serve as valuable tools for demonstrating transparency and delivering a clear governance agenda, echoing the strategies Chehab implemented to regain the public’s confidence . Also, capitalizing on the already existing trust that Lebanese citizens have in their military demonstrated in a 2022 survey by the Arab Barometer presents a unique opportunity in itself.

Reforming Institutions

A Roadmap for the Future

The conversation also focused on the modernization and reform of Lebanon’s institutions, emphasizing the need to both overhaul existing structures and establish modern ones with a future-oriented outlook. The panelists highlighted that attracting fresh talent and retaining them, and securing financial support for institutional reform would be crucial for the country’s long-term stability and growth.

A central point of discussion was the role of the international community in Lebanon’s recovery. The panelists explored strategies Lebanon might adopt to re-engage international stakeholders, particularly financial institutions, after previous efforts to solicit international aid were met with skepticism. Hof and Moubayed suggested that Lebanon must craft a compelling narrative to restore international confidence, particularly in the context of global financial uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions, whilst maintaining Lebanon’s sovereignty at the heart of governance and the various initiatives and heeding foreign interferences .

Lebanon’s Geopolitical Challenges

Beyond Lebanon’s pressing domestic governance issues, the panel delved into Lebanon tense geopolitical environment, particularly the persistent instability along its southern border and the unresolved tensions with Syria. These challenges, as Frederic Hof has long emphasized, are not merely peripheral concerns; they are central to Lebanon’s sovereignty and its ability to chart an independent, peaceful course. Hof argued that any meaningful reform process in Lebanon must be anchored in a vision of full state sovereignty, where decisions are made by legitimate institutions free from external coercion or militia dominance.

The panelists also reflected on broader global dynamics, including the erosion of multilateralism, the unraveling of international norms and the rise of violent conflicts that further complicate Lebanon’s pursuit of peace and stability. In this context, Hof’s position resonated clearly: Lebanon’s survival and revival hinge on insulating its domestic agenda from regional proxy battles and ensuring that its army, not armed factions, is the sole guarantor of national defense.

Despite these external pressures, the discussion remained focused on the possibility of progress. Lebanon’s path forward, though complex and fraught with geopolitical pitfalls, must remain firmly grounded in a commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development. As Hof has often remarked, peace is not a passive condition, it is a deliberate process that requires resilient institutions, credible leadership, and the political will to resolve conflict through dialogue and lawful governance. Lebanon’s challenge, then, is to navigate this regional storm while rebuilding internal legitimacy; an endeavor that is difficult, but not impossible.

Conclusion

A Vision for Lebanon’s Future

In light of the ongoing crises and the monumental task of rebuilding Lebanon’s political and institutional systems, the panel’s discussion underscored the importance of a citizenship-based approach to governance, integrity in leadership, and the adoption of Chehabism’s reformist principles. While Lebanon faces an uncertain future, the lessons from Chehab’s leadership provide a foundation for potential state-building efforts. By embracing a bold and comprehensive approach to reform and attracting skilled and committed public leaders of high moral standing, a new Lebanon can chart a path toward recovery. The road ahead is demanding and will require significant political will, unwavering unity and international cooperation.

In sum, the webinar highlighted the urgent need for Lebanon to confront its systemic dysfunctions, prioritize governance reforms, and rekindle public trust in order to pave the way for a more unified, law-abiding nation.