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Maybe the Lebanese people should opt for a collegial council at the head of the government. Seven equal "wise" to guide the central administration - as we know it from Switzerland - could be the key to end the political deadlock.
In former Yugoslavia a directorial executive couldn't prevent a civil war. The Lebanese exit a civil war. In Uruguay the collegial executive was replaced by a dictator, a bad prospect. So why should this work like in Switzerland and bring stability to crisis-ridden Lebanon? Would the different elected leaders be able to sit together in a shared council and take decisions together? And most importantly stick to them ...
One perspective goes as follows: three councilor chairs could be allocated to the Shia, two chairs could be allocated to the Sunnis and two to the Maronites. Like that the Shia need to persuade only one Maronite or Sunni councilor for a majority in the council and at the same time the Maronite-Sunni majority can block at any time "illegitimate" attempts by the Shia. Should the "centrist" Sunnis and the "progressive" Maronites be able to find a compromise, can they bring through reforms by themselves without the approval of the "conservative" Shia - who will though always be ready to offer a counter-compromise able to tease a Sunni or a Maronite councilor onto their side because rather an idea which is reflecting the people's will.
To ensure it works like in Switzerland, that the establishment doesn't fall apart, maybe what could be thought of as well are direct democratic tools such as initiatives and referenda. I'm not sure and see the establishment of the said directorial executive as the key, but in the long run, direct democracy could enable the Lebanese population to block the hopeless political elite on one side and on the other side to bring in new reforms by themselves. The Lebanese with their regular demonstrations show already that they're not afraid of the establishment anymore and that they want to have the last word; to have the people rule the country and in democratic fashion. It freed the Helvètes to have direct democracy, it can free the Phoenicians again, I'd say.
The two, a Lebanese Collegial Council and direct democratic rights could improve indeed Lebanese politics. I think they're ripe enough to govern themselves in a system where sure they're forced to find compromises but where on the other hand their leaders merit their trust again. They have witnessed war and peace, I think they can choose. So let's not block the route but let's let them decide freely. They should try.
