Conflict nigh as waters dry

  The storms that wracked Lebanon in mid-December were among the most severe in several years. While they helped douse the epidemic of late season brush fires and allowed nervous ski resort owners to open the pistes for the first time, the welcome rainfall could not disguise the fact that Lebanon and the region in general is experiencing a worsening drought. While the concept of “water wars” in the Middle East has been articulated for many years, the looming crisis over the lack of water is certain to lead to greater competition for resources, fuelling not only inter-state tensions but domestic upheavals between the haves and have-nots. Before the first rains fell in earnest in December, Lebanon’s meteorological office had registered just 51.2 milli meters (2.01inches) of rain since September. That compares to 214.8 milli meters (8.45inches) for the same period in 2009. Years of war and government mismanagement have