In 2009, Lebanon received a score of 2.5 out of 10 on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Over the years, Lebanon’s steadily low CPI scores stems from the country’s deadlock due to the political crisis extending over the past two years. Moreover, given the confessional nature of the Lebanese political system, corruption has been institutionalised, especially when religious bodies or sects serve as mediator between the citizens and the state.

Corruption is also used in Lebanon as munition in times of political disputes and competition. There are no legal or regulatory mechanisms that protect institutions from the lack of cooperation and increased tension between political groups. As seen recently, political disputes can lead to the collapse of the country’s government institutions. Nonetheless, in times of political reconciliation, government institutions are divided according to personal loyalties rather than on merit, which negatively affect the system of checks and balances.

Although Lebanon ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in October 2008, the country still lacks the legal mechanisms, such as conflict of interest especially when there is no clear line that separates the private from the public sphere.

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