Historically, the Druse have allied themselves with the Syrians, though Jumblatt's father was probably killed on orders from Damascus. In many ways, Lebanon's government is a near-puppet of the Syrian regime. No decision of significance is made in Beirut without Syrian approval. No important appointment to any key post is made in Beirut without Syrian authorization. Syrian President Bashar Assad may want domestic reforms, but he has no interest in changing his country's domination over its neighbor.
Economic considerations make the occupation a major pillar preserving the Syrian regime.
Over one million Syrian workers have moved to Lebanon, where they receive higher pay than they could hope for at home. Syria's stake in Lebanon, then, is far more than having a base for blocking or confronting Israel. At present, Syria and Iran are trying to open up a second front against Israel from Lebanese soil. Despite having certified that Israel has withdrawn completely, the United Nations has not effectively protected the border. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has not sent its army and administration south, allowing Hizbullah to maintain virtually a separate mini-state there.