08/20/2019 Lebanon (International Christian Concern) – Escalating tensions between Lebanon’s Druze and Christians were addressed Sunday in Chartoun village, where representatives reaffirmed their commitment to reconciliation.
The source of the tension dates back to Lebanon’s civil war between the 1970s-1990s. In 1983, both Maronite Christians and Druze began fighting each other at Mount Lebanon. The Christians were driven out, and the Druze remained. In the aftermath of the civil war, efforts were made to reconcile various fighting factions. In 2001, the Christians and Druze signed a reconciliation agreement and peace has mostly remained between the two communities since then.
However, tensions began flaring this past June. A shoot-out between opposing Druze political parties paralyzed the government. Christians were thrust into the spotlight because the president is traditionally Maronite. Memories of the 1983 massacres inserted itself into attempts to settle the current political dispute.
It is hoped that the reaffirmation of their commitment to reconciliation will help calm both Druze and Christians, allowing the government process to move forward. This was the first time that the parties have renewed reconciliation since the leader of the original reconciliation movement, Patriarch Sfeir, passed away earlier this year.
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