Daesh feeds off Lebanon's poverty

Lebanon is like a pregnant woman going into labour but the process of giving birth to a life free of debts and corruption could be long, painful and full of risks.
The new government headed by Prime Minister Hassan Diab is trying its best to find solutions that can help the country get back on its feet but it does not have a magic wand that can fix an economy that has inherited 30 years of corruption.
Diab is also facing a backslash from politicians and political parties who are afraid to face justice for defrauding the state.
These parties will do their best to put obstacles in Diab's way to ensure he doesn't succeed in his plan to save the economy.
Meanwhile, the pandemic is being used by extremist groups such as Daesh to recruit new members as more than half of the Lebanese population is unemployed and 60 % live below the poverty line.
People are going hungry in places like Tripoli where bloodthirsty terror recruiters are working overtime to enrol the youth into their ranks
Today, more than ever, it is very easy to stir sectarian strife, and to provoke young people to attack state institutions, the Lebanese army and security forces.
In February, Lebanon's Directorate of General Security announced that it has foiled an attack on the American Embassy in Awkar, Beirut, allegedly by a Daesh militant named Abdullah Al Tunisi.
Slogans of Daesh and the Al Nusra Front have reappeared in the poorest areas of Lebanon which is a matter of concern to security agencies.
The danger is real, and the last thing Lebanon needs is a new wave of terrorist attacks.
On many occasions since 2014 Daesh has vowed to take over Beirut and free terrorists who are in Lebanese prisons.
The end of the Syrian war, which seems imminent, will encourage terrorists from Al Qaeda in the Levant (Al Nusra) and also members of Daesh to stoke trouble in fragile countries like Lebanon and Jordan. To prevent their infiltration, the Americans had promised to help the Lebanese army to buy equipment to monitor the borders (notably night vision goggles).
But the pandemic has thrown all plans out the window, and the Lebanese army is poorly equipped to handle any threat. This gives an excuse for Hezbollah to justify its existence as a militia and a political party.
It is time the international assists Lebanon's economy and help put it back on the rails. If they tarry, Daesh could sow chaos in the country which will trigger a new wave of refugees and another phase of civil strife.
Christiane Waked is a political analyst based in Beirut.