Instability in neighboring Syria and the ongoing political vacuum in Lebanon are contributing to a drastic deterioration in the country's security situation. Last week, an Italian UN patrol was attacked in the South; this week, a controversy over the telecom sector may lead to the prosecution of the head of the Internal Security Forces. Furthermore, Palestinian refugees are organizing a march towards the Israeli border on Sunday - which could lead to a clash with Israeli soldiers. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams raised the alarm on the "eroding" situation and urged Italy not to withdraw its troops from the peacekeeping forces. All of this is taking place amidst the inability of the pro-Hezbollah coalition to form a cabinet, with no apparent resolution on the horizon.

Last week, six Italians soldiers operating with UNIFIL were injured in a roadside bomb in southern Lebanon. Italian media and many Lebanese politicians believe that the attack is a reprisal for sanctions imposed by the European Union on the Syrian leadership. Following the attack, Italy announced that it was reconsidering cutting its contingent from the 1,700 soldiers now to some 1,100 troops. The incident, the first of its kind in three years, could deal a strong blow to the peacekeeping forces.

A more dangerous development in Beirut risks further escalating an already precarious situation. Following a controversy over the Lebanese telecom sector, caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud announced his resignation, while head of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) Ashraf Rifi may be facing legal charges. Both the March 14 and the March 8 factions are attempting to maintain control over the telecommunications sector, one of the key leads in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Meanwhile, the seven Estonians who were kidnapped at the Lebanese-Syrian border two months ago have not yet been found. Last week, a leading Syrian opposition member, Shibli al-Ayssami, went missing in Lebanon. In March, four Syrian citizens were arrested by the ISF, and their fate remains unknown to this day. The Lebanese authorities have been complicit in detaining Syrian soldiers and returning them to the Syrian government; they have prevented thousands of refugees fleeing violence from entering into Lebanon. Politicians have also been hesitant to speak up against the Syrian regime for fear of reprisal.

As the political crisis continues in Beirut, the security situation in the South is worsening. This Sunday, Palestinian refugees, supported by Hezbollah and activists, are planning to march to the Israeli border in commemoration of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Last month, 11 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces opened fired as they attempted to cross the Israeli border in commemoration of their exile in 1948. In order to prevent such incidents, the Lebanese Army has declared the area around the border with Israel a closed military zone. This is a good measure that may save lives, but it is does not shield the country from further dangers arising from a political crisis perpetuated by the failure of the Lebanese political class.