Lebanon’s prime minister at the time of its last war with Israel in 2006 has told the BBC his country has been abandoned by the international community.
Fouad Siniora said it was unacceptable to leave Lebanon to fall, and there was a lack of initiative when it came to trying to restore peace.
"We are now in a very difficult situation that requires real effort locally, as well on the Arab side and internationally.
"You can push things - sometimes to the brink of falling - in a major catastrophe without really realising what it means later on.
"It's happening at a time when the American administration is so busy with the elections.
"And we are unable to elect a president, because some groups in the country, particularly Hezbollah, have been insisting that they want a president that will not stab that group in the back," Siniora said.
The last war between Lebanon and Israel, nearly 20 years ago, began when Hezbollah fighters crossed the border and attacked Israeli soldiers. Two were kidnapped and three were killed, sparking a month-long conflict.