Lebanon Postpones Elections Amidst Israel-Hezbollah War

Lebanon's parliament has postponed its legislative elections by two years, a decision announced by Speaker Nabih Berri. The elections, originally scheduled for May, were delayed due to the ongoing war between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. This conflict escalated after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli strikes. The vote saw 76 MPs in favor, 41 against, and four abstaining, with Hezbollah's bloc supporting the extension. Opposition parties like the Lebanon===Lebanese Forces, Lebanon===Kataeb Party, and Lebanon===Free Patriotic Movement voted against the two-year delay, arguing for a shorter postponement until the war ends. This event highlights the deep political divisions within Lebanon and the significant impact of regional geopolitical tensions on its internal affairs. The Lebanese government has also committed to disarming Hezbollah, a move opposed by the group.