Cover photo by Reuters/Jamal Saidi
Lebanon (MNN) ― Hopes for peace are pinned to Lebanon's unity government. Rival political parties are divvying up the cabinet positions. The deal, reached in Qatar in late May, came after weeks of deadly sectarian fighting that threatened to tip into civil war.
Under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing arrangement, the country's president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of Parliament is a Shiite.
As of Tuesday, July 08, no announcements had been made yet, although the government is reportedly on the verge of announcing the cabinet formation.
Weeks of political deadlock led to the delay in the announcement of the new government positions between the pro-Western majority coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition.
However, the sense of relief, says SAT-7's David Harder, is overwhelming. "The staff really appreciates the prayers. They do want to thank God. It does look like Lebanon will be stable. They're very hopeful. There's still a lot of instability within the system, so be praying for Lebanon that it would remain at peace."
Shops are open, and the mood of the people on the street is optimistic. SAT-7 has a team of around 20 full-time Lebanese personnel, plus free-lancers, who live and work in Beirut.
Their staff is reflecting this new hope in the programming they're producing in Lebanon. Harder says although the country is moving forward, "They need prayer that they'd be able to do that, that we'd have the funding to be able to make the many programs that we'd like to make, that the situation would remain peaceful, and that many people would be drawn to the broadcasts, and their lives would be touched, they'll be encouraged, and they'll find hope in Jesus Christ."
