In somewhat of a surprise, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies lost their majority in Lebanese parliament following elections on 15 May. This now alters the political scene and could stymy efforts to form a government needed to push through reforms required to potentially unlock billions of dollars in loans and aid to lift the country out of its current economic collapse.

The Hezbollah-led bloc garnered 62 seats, three seats short of obtaining a majority at Lebanon’s 128 seat parliament and nine seats short of the 71 the bloc won following 2018 elections. (CONTINUED - 381 WORDS)