The ongoing war in Lebanon and the broader Middle East has caused a deep divide within Lebanese society regarding this war, its causes, and the responsibility of the parties involved. This internal division is not limited to this issue; it has extended to many domestic topics and positions, so that numerous Lebanese affairs and various political, social, and other stances have become axes of alignment, disputes, and conflicting narratives. Added to this are numerous violent and inflammatory speeches, as well as distorted or false news, which exacerbate internal divisions.

Therefore, this project monitors social and political discourse in the public sphere by following issues that media outlets, social media platforms, and influencers prioritize, with the aim of shedding light on them, tracking their narratives, understanding who stands behind them, and assessing the risks they carry. These topics often reflect societal trends and reveal the positions of key actors regarding them.

This report, the third in the Trend Watch Alert series, which covers the period from 8 to 22 May 2026, examines competing narratives on governance and accountability in Lebanon through two interconnected debates: the renewed discussion surrounding the general amnesty law which emerged against the backdrop of prison overcrowding, delayed trials, and criticism of the judiciary, and the growing use of the concept of the “deep state” in political and media discourse to explain political stagnation, institutional obstruction, and governance failures.

The report highlights the narratives that emerged around these two issues, emphasizing common framings such as systemic distrust in state institutions, perceptions of institutional capture, and the influence of entrenched interests over governance, justice, and reform processes.

Read the report in English: Competing Narratives of Governance and Accountability in Lebanon: The General Amnesty Law and the “Deep State” Concept

Read the report in French: Gouvernance et responsabilité au Liban : récits concurrents autour de l’amnistie générale et de l’État profond

This series of reports is prepared with the support of the Organisation internationale of la Francophonie (OIF).