Lebanon's sectarian division: What you need to know
Lebanon has an unusual political system based on sectarian representation.
The model - established through tradition - allows for power-sharing between Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims.
It was slightly modified in 1989 when the "Taif Agreement" or "National Reconciliation Accord" reorganised the system taking away some of the power from the Christians - which had had a disproportionate influence - and giving it to the Muslims in a more equal formulae.
BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey explains how the system gives Lebanon its pluralist character.
10 Jul 2012
- From the section Middle East