World Bulletin / News Desk

A divisive debate over Lebanon's electoral law may delay parliamentary elections scheduled for June 9, stoking fears of instability in a country already rattled by the conflict in neighboring Syria, reported Naharnet. 

Nominations opened on Monday but no candidate has yet been registered. Meanwhile, rival political groups have quibbled over how legislative power should be shared out in the multi-confessional country.

The same as in domestic politics, Lebanon is divided into two camps over the conflict in Syria.

One is led by Hizbullah that is backed by Syria and Iran. The other, the March 14 opposition alliance, is bitterly opposed to the Damascus regime.

The raging war in Syria has worsened tensions in Lebanon, which suffered its own civil war from 1975 to 1990. For nearly 30 years, Damascus dominated Lebanon politically and militarily until Syrian troops pulled out in 2005.

"Lebanon's main parties are all strategically linked to what is happening in Syria. Each of them is betting on the Damascus regime falling or staying in place," said Beirut-based analyst Fadia Kiwane of Universite Saint-Joseph.

But with the Syrian war entering its third year, pressure has increased on Lebanon's leaders to hold the vote on time.

"There is international pressure to meet the deadline" for the parliamentary elections, said Kiwane, amid fears that Lebanon could otherwise slide into a new civil war of its own.