Manifesto of the Lebanese Transitional Shadow Government
Preamble
We, a collective of independent Lebanese citizens—professionals, scholars, and opinion leaders—united by our commitment to sovereignty, accountability, transparency, and justice, hereby establish the Lebanese Transitional Shadow Government to address Lebanon’s catastrophic governance crisis. Decades of sectarianism, corruption, unconstitutional practices, prolonged governance tenures, feudalism, and external interference have eroded state authority, triggered economic collapse, fueled violence, and failed to protect Lebanon’s citizenry and national interests from non-state actors undermining the state. The war escalating since October 2023 has exposed the devastating consequences of these failures, particularly the Lebanese government’s inability to implement UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006), which demand the disarmament of non-state actors and the restoration of state sovereignty. These unfulfilled resolutions perpetuate instability and threaten Lebanon’s future.
We reject narratives that delay disarmament, excuse elite inaction, or equate legitimate governance with armed militias. The Transitional Shadow Government will monitor, propose, and advocate for a sovereign, democratic Lebanon free from internal and external domination. It will seek international recognition to represent Lebanon’s long-term interests in global forums, working alongside Lebanon’s friends and allies to rebuild a stable, prosperous state.
Mission
The Transitional Shadow Government aims to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty by:
Monitoring government failures, exposing corruption, and highlighting obstruction.
Proposing policies to implement UN Resolutions 1559 and 1701, prioritizing the disarmament of non-state actors and extending state authority, starting with declaring immediately arms-free zones in at least two-thirds of Lebanon’s territory (7,000 sq. km under exclusive Lebanese Armed Forces control), with full disarmament to follow on the entire territory within 45 days.
Countering false narratives that delay reforms or portray institutional inaction as inevitable.
Serving as a credible interlocutor with local communities, regional partners, and international actors to secure support for Lebanon’s recovery.
Preparing a roadmap for systemic reforms to rebuild trust and effective governance.
Context: The Latest War and UN Resolutions
The war that escalated in October 2023, following Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in solidarity with Hamas, has devastated Lebanon. Over 100,000 civilians have been displaced, infrastructure lies in ruins, and the economy is further crippled. The government, paralyzed by its caretaker status and Hezbollah’s dominance, has failed to respond effectively. UN Resolutions 1559 and 1701, intended to restore Lebanese sovereignty, have been systematically undermined, culminating in the recently signed Mechanism, endorsed by the Lebanese speaker and government. However, the slow pace of disarmament is not bureaucratic inertia but a deliberate strategy by elites and Hezbollah to maintain a status quo that preserves their power. Hezbollah’s integration into governance, often through coercion, stalls state control, while narratives defending its “resistance” role obscure its function as a shadow state. Recent progress in dismantling some Hezbollah posts in southern Lebanon (as of May 2025) is promising but falls short, with only 80% of disarmament objectives achieved in a limited area and no comprehensive plan in place.
Challenging False Narratives
To advance Lebanon’s recovery, we reject the following narratives obstructing progress:
Institutional Delays as Inevitable: The government and certain actors cite Lebanon’s sectarian system or risks to civil peace to justify inaction on disarmament. These are pretexts for elite complicity, as Hezbollah’s political alliances and influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) block meaningful action. The Shadow Government will expose these excuses and demand accountability.
Syrian Sanctions Relief as a Benchmark: The fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 demonstrated that opposition to totalitarian/dictatorial/police governance, often cloaked in pseudo-causes, can lead to transformative change. Failing to challenge similar dynamics in Lebanon perpetuates a failed status quo.
Civil Peace Equating “Angels and Devils”: Rhetoric from Lebanese leadership emphasizing “civil peace” falsely equates Hezbollah’s armed presence with legitimate state authority, ignoring its violations of Resolutions 1559 and 1701. This undermines sovereignty and excuses militia dominance. The Shadow Government will advocate for a clear distinction between legitimate governance and unlawful armed non-state actors.
Irrelevance of the Beirut Summit Peace Mantra: The signing of peace agreements between Israel and at least seven Arab states since the Beirut Summit invalidates outdated narratives prioritizing resistance over diplomacy.
Objectives
Monitor and Expose:
Track compliance with Resolutions 1559 and 1701, highlighting violations and deliberate delays.
Expose elite obstruction and corruption undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Policy Proposals:
Propose reforms to strengthen the LAF through increased funding and training to ensure the state’s monopoly on force.
Advocate for constitutional amendments to address systemic state failures.
Counter Narratives:
Debunk myths portraying Hezbollah as a “resistance” group, emphasizing its role in destabilizing Lebanon and violating UN resolutions.
Engage communities to build public support for disarmament and sovereignty.
Refute claims of institutional inevitability, exposing elite sabotage and foreign interference (e.g., Iran’s role).
International Engagement:
Act as a trusted partner for the IMF, UN, and donors, advocating for aid tied to disarmament and reform milestones.
Engage regional actors (e.g., GCC, African Union, EU) to counter Iran’s influence and secure support for LAF strengthening.
Collaborate with the Mechanism and the USA to achieve compliance with Resolution 1701.
Transition Roadmap:
Develop a blueprint for a non-sectarian modern constitution, leading to sane and effective governance.
Call to Action
We call upon the Lebanese people, diaspora, and international community to join in reclaiming Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Transitional Shadow Government will operate transparently, funded by citizen contributions and independent grants, and engage through digital platforms and public forums. Together, we can defeat narratives perpetuating division and build a Lebanon where the state, not militias, holds authority, paving the way for prosperity and lasting peace in the Levant.