As if by magic, common national interests suddenly took priority over factional interests. The quarreling Lebanese parties made mutual concessions and joined the same government. They forgot, or pretended to forget, their past differences. They abandoned slogans that for a long time were considered sacred.

They accepted yesterday’s enemies as partners after they hurled insults and accusations of treason against them. But the question is what caused this sudden change of attitudes? How can something that was forbidden and cursed suddenly become acceptable and good? Why didn’t that happen months ago and save the country's paralysis, economic harm and lost opportunities for Lebanese of all sects.

A government was finally put together in Lebanon after more than 10 months. A government of “national interest” was formed. After its inception, it was remarkable how many from the rival political camps objected. Supporters of the March 14 movement criticized its leadership for implicitly accepting Hezbollah’s participation in the Syrian war. Hezbollah’s public was angered when it saw March 14 hawks grab high-level ministries — such as the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice — and was not told why its leadership accepted a surprise settlement with its rivals after it had promoted the idea that the March 14 movement shelters terrorists, which have conducted several attacks.

The importance of the composition of Lebanese governments is not in their economic or social programs, which do not change much over time and only a small portion of which gets implemented, if at all. Many of those programs move from one ministerial statement to another without ever seeing the light of day. The importance of Lebanese governments is that they reflect a regional power balance and what is going on in diplomatic corridors: settlements that have been implemented, are being prepared or are being tested.