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Flag of Lebanon
BASIC INFORMATION

Full Country Name: The Lebanese Republic


Country Map:  Lebanon
Area: 10,400 sq km
Population: 3.6m
Capital City: Beirut (population: 1.6m, estimate 1996)
People: 4million, including 200,000 Palestinian refugees. The population is predominantly Arab with a sizable Armenian minority. The Lebanese diaspora is thought to total 14 million
Languages: Arabic (official), English, French, Armenian
Religion(s): Christian (38%), Shia (34%), Sunni (21%), Druze (7%). There are 18 registered religions in Lebanon
Currency: Lebanese Pound
Major political parties: Numerous political groupings exist in Lebanon, organised along mostly sectarian lines
Government: Republic
Head of State: President Emile Lahoud
Prime Minister/Premier: Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri
Foreign Minister: HE Dr Mahmud Hammud
Membership of international groups/organisations: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA), Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League (AL), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Intergovernmental Group of 24 (G-24), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Criminal Court (ICC), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Maritime Satellite Organisation (Inmarsat), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (Intelsat), International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO - correspondent), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of American States and the Community of Andean Nations (OAS - observer), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations (UN), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Tourism Organisation (WtoO), World Trade Organisation (WTrO - observer)

GEOGRAPHY

Lebanon is tiny (around half the size of Wales) and averages around 50km from east to west and 225 Km from north to south. It sits lengthways against the Mediterranean, sandwiched on two sides by Syria and one side by Israel. The country forms part of the fertile crescent - a high arc of well watered land connecting Egypt to Iraq. Lebanon's three biggest cities, Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon lie along the coastline and have their origins in Phoenician and Roman ports. Two large mountain ranges run parallel to each other down the length of the country: Mount Lebanon and the Anti Lebanon. The Mount Lebanon range runs along the coastline and in some cases the flat coastal strip is limited to a matter of metres before the land starts to climb. The highest point in the Mount Lebanon range stands at over 3000 m and is snow covered for around half the year. the vast and fertile plateau of the Bekaa valley runs between the two mountain ranges and forms the northern extremity of the Great Rift valley.

Along the coast the climate is mild with hot dry summers and wet winters but in the mountains heavy winter snow is usual.

HISTORY

Lebanon was created in its present boundaries in 1920 under the French mandate. It became independent in 1943. Inter-community rivalries have been endemic, but until the 1970s were generally kept within bounds by a complex confessional system, enshrined in the 1943 National Pact. Under this system the President is a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of Parliament is Shia Muslim. These divisions are reflected throughout the Cabinet and civil service.

In 1970, large numbers of PLO fighters expelled from Jordan sought refuge in Lebanon leading to further destabilisation. In 1975/1976 there was a civil war which pitted a coalition of Christian groups against the joint forces of the PLO, left-wing Druze and Muslim militias. It ended in Syrian intervention, at the Lebanese government's request, initially to prevent a Christian defeat. The presence of the Syrian forces was subsequently authorised by an Arab League mandate as the 'Arab Deterrent Force'. But despite its presence, intermittent fighting continued, and between 1975 and 1982 an estimated 10% of the Lebanese population was killed or wounded.

In 1982, the PLO presence in Lebanon led to an Israeli invasion. A multinational Force (MNF) of US, French and Italian contingents was deployed in Beirut after the Israeli siege of the city, to supervise the evacuation of the PLO. It returned in September 1982 after the assassination of Bashir Gemayel and the subsequent massacres by the pro-Israeli Christian Phalange militia in the Palestinian camps of Sabra and Chatila. A British contingent (of approximately 100) joined the MNF in February 1983. Following a deterioration in the security situation, the MNF was withdrawn in the spring of 1984.

In May 1984 a Syrian-supported Government of National Unity was formed. Negotiations at Syrian insistence between the three main militia/political groups (AMAL, PSP and the Christian Lebanese Forces) on political reforms in Lebanon led to the Tripartite Accord of 1985. It involved progress towards the total deconfessionalisation of the political system within a decade and consolidation of privileged Syrian/Lebanese relations. Tension within the Christian community over the Accord led to the Lebanese Forces (LF) coup of January 1986 in which the pro-Accord leaders of the LF were displaced.

Heavy fighting in February 1987 in West Beirut between AMAL and a coalition of left-wing forces headed by the Druze militia led to renewed Syrian military intervention. Other clashes were mainly between AMAL, Hizbollah (the Shi'ite fundamentalist militia) and the Palestinians.

In September 1988 Lebanon slipped further into crisis when the Parliament failed to elect a successor to President Gemayel as a result of differences between the Christians and the Muslims and Syrians. Gemayel's final act was to appoint the Maronite commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Aoun, as Prime Minister. The legitimacy of this government was disputed by the acting Prime Minister of the previous administration, Selim Hoss (a Sunni). This led to virtual partition along sectarian lines. Hoss's government was based in West Beirut, while Aoun occupied the Presidential Palace at Baabda in the East.

The rivalry erupted into fighting in March 1989 following Aoun's blockade of the Muslim ports in South Beirut. There was heavy shelling of the Christian enclave by Syrian forces, returned by Aoun's troops. During the fighting more than 800 were killed.

The Arab league Summit of May 1989 led to the formation of a three man committee of the Kings of Morocco and Saudi Arabia and the President of Algeria, charged with solving the crisis. On 16 September 1989 they issued a seven-point peace plan for Lebanon. This was accepted by both Hoss and Aoun, as well as by the Syrians. As a result, a ceasefire was established, the ports and airports were re-opened and the refugees began to return.

In September 1989, the Lebanese Parliament was convened in Taif, Saudi Arabia, which agreed a Charter for National Reconciliation, known as the Taif Accord. This included an outline timetable for Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, initially from Beirut, and a formula for the deconfessionalisation of the Lebanese political system.

A meeting of Lebanese Deputies in Kleat, Northern Lebanon, on 5 November 1989 ratified the Taif agreement and elected Rene Moawad, a Maronite Christian, as President. The election was welcomed by the UK and by most of the international community. Aoun declared the elections illegal, and announced that he would be holding elections himself in 1990. Moawad was however assassinated on 22 November 1989 and his successor, Elias Hrawi, immediately removed Aoun from his command of the Lebanese Armed Forces, surrounding the Christian enclave with Syrian troops.

The anticipated Syrian attack on the enclave did not materialise as, from January 1990 until mid-May, East Beirut was locked in an intra-Christian war between the Lebanese Armed Forces loyal to Aoun, and Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces militia. This caused extensive damage and loss of life. The fighting almost halted the economic cycle of the country and led to increased unemployment and the emigration of skilled workers.

Aoun remained in the enclave, resisting all pressure to accept the Taif Accord or join a national unity government, until October, when Syrian forces, invited in by President Hrawi, launched an air attack to force Aoun's surrender. Aoun took refuge in the French Embassy in Beirut from which he went into exile in France, where he remains.

After sixteen years of civil war, peace returned to Lebanon. There has been no significant fighting in the country (excepting the troubles in South Lebanon) for some years and the main political groupings accept the Taif Accord as the basis of a post-war settlement.

South Lebanon

South Lebanon remained the one area of active fighting. Israel continued to occupy part of south Lebanon with Israeli Defence Force soldiers and a Lebanese proxy-army, the South Lebanon Army (SLA). UNSCR 425 in 1978 called for Israel's unconditional withdrawal from Lebanese territory and established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. UNIFIL is deployed in Lebanon outside the security zone but could not intervene in the fighting. Hizbollah was armed and active against Israeli occupation, and the Lebanese Government regarded this as acceptable while the Israeli occupation continued. The Israelis withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon in May 2000. The United Nations established a 'Blue Line' on the ground. The blue line is the best possible assessment of the international border (based on the 1923 border agreed between Britain and France). The blue line has been more stable than most dared hope. There have, however, been continual breaches and the potential for escalation remains high.

This is an external link BBC News Country Timeline: Lebanon


POLITICS

The principle of confessionalism is still central to Lebanon's political system, although the rapid growth of the Shia population has undermined the demographic basis of that system. Of Lebanon's total population of about 3.6 million, some 55% are estimated to be Muslim. Under the Taif Accord, there are now equal numbers of Moslem and Christian Deputies in the Parliament (previously it was Christian dominated). The President remains a Christian, the Prime Minister is a Sunni and the Speaker of the Parliament (Berri) is a Shi'ite.

Elections were held in August 1992 for the first time in 20 years. The elections passed off peacefully though not without controversy. There were many irregularities reported and the Maronite community boycotted them, arguing that fair and free elections could not be held while 35,000 Syrian troops remained in the country. The overall turn-out was low, at about 30%. Hizbollah took part in the elections and did well (winning 8 seats in a Parliament of 128 Deputies). Subsequent parliamentary elections were held in Autumn 1996.

In October 1998, the Lebanese Parliament unanimously voted General Emile Lahoud as President. Dr Salim al-Hoss was appointed Prime Minister. He was also Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In the August 2000 elections Hariri's supporters came back in strength and he was elected as Prime Minister.

The first local elections in Lebanon for 35 years were held over four Sundays in May and June 1998. Voter participation was high, on average between 60-70%. In Beirut only 30% voted but this was perceived to be due to voters thinking that the result was a foregone conclusion. There was little evidence of fraud or violence. The elections mark a further stage in post conflict reconstruction.

ECONOMY

Basic Economic Facts

GDP: US$ 18.2 billion
GDP per head: US$ 5000
Annual Growth: 1% (2000)
Inflation: 4.5%
Major Industries: Banking, food processing, jewellery, textiles, mineral and chemical products
Major trading partners: Exports: France 12%, USA 10%, Saudi Arabia 9%, UAE 9%, Switzerland 6%. Imports: Italy 11%, France 9%, Germany 8%, Switzerland 7%, USA 7%
Aid & development: Small projects only £280,000
Exchange rate: US$ 1: L 1500

Lebanon's economy is beset by difficulties, especially the public sector. The debt burden continues to climb and is expected to reach US$ 27 billion, or 165% of GDP, by the end of 2001. The US$ 2.85 billion required annually to service the debt is now the largest single item of government expenditure, equal to almost 85% of government revenue. Lebanon also suffers from a serious fiscal imbalance. The budget deficit in the year 2000 was 56%, equal to about 25% of GDP.

Lebanon's national currency is pegged to the US dollar (at the rate of approximately 1500 to 1). Lack of confidence and speculation about the risk of a devaluation placed the currency under considerable pressure as local investors switched to US dollars. In the 18 months since the beginning of the year 2000, the Lebanese authorities spent somewhere between US$ 2 billion - 3 billion defending the peg. Lebanon will continue to tap the intentional bond market over the years ahead to help meet its debt repayments and defend the currency.

Lebanon's economic woes are exacerbated by low GDP growth (0% last year), rising unemployment and a substantial current account trade deficit, which reached US$ 5.5 billion in 2000. Fortunately the visible trade deficit is more than offset by remittances from overseas Lebanese and earnings from services. One of the encouraging aspects of the Lebanese economy is that inflation remains low.

The Lebanese government is aware of the problems and is committed to a range of reforms designed to remedy the situation. The authorities are determined to restore GDP growth, reduce the fiscal imbalance, reduce the debt burden (and the cost of serving it) while maintaining monetary, financial and price stability. Measures already taken or in the pipeline include greatly reduced customs duties, a substantial privatisation programme, new taxes, including the introduction of VAT in January 2002, administrative reform and a commitment to the early conclusion of a Lebanon/EU Association Agreement and Lebanon's accession to the WTO.

The International Monetary Fund is due to publish a report on Lebanon in October 2001.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Lebanon has diplomatic relations with 82 countries. Lebanon has no diplomatic relations with Israel. She has 66 Embassies abroad and 16 honorary consulates in countries where there are no embassies.

LEBANON'S RELATIONS WITH THE UK

There is a large and active Lebanese community in the United Kingdom. Bilateral relations are good. Robin Cook, as Foreign Secretary, visited Lebanon in March 1998 and Mr Meale, DETR Minister, led a British Water mission to Beirut in December 1999.
Other FCO Ministers visited Lebanon in March 1999, May 2000 and July 2001. President Lahoud met Peter Hain in London in September 1999. Prime Minister Hariri met the Prime Minster and Deputy Prime Minsiter in June 2000.

Our exports to Lebanon are worth around $150m annually (see Trade and investment below). Trafalgar House fronted our one major project success - the construction of the Sports City stadium in Beirut, which was completed just in time for the Pan-Arab Games.

Diplomatic Representation

This is an internal link UK Diplomatic Representation in Lebanon

This is an internal link Lebanese Diplomatic Representation in the UK


UK Development Assistance

Since 1 April 2001:

£80,000 Small Grants Scheme
£50,000 Palestinian specific allocation (DFID)
£50,000 for development projects in South Lebanon (DFID)
£75,000 to from Foreign and Commonwealth Programme budget funds for various activities including Mines Action Group

Trade and Investment with the UK

Lebanon has not been a traditional market for UK exports. However, the Lebanese government has made it clear that they want the UK to be fully involved in the country's reconstruction programme and UK performance was strong in the nineties, reaching a peak in 1997. Since that time our exports have declined (in line with our competitors) as progress on the Middle East Peace Process has faltered. Bilateral trade over the past five years is set out below.






£m


1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Exports
173.8
191.2
180.2
157.0
140.9
Imports
12.2
8.0
21.5
17.1
16.5
Trade balance
161.9
183.2
158.7
139.9
124.4

Our main exports are food and beverages, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment and machinery, other manufactured articles and road vehicles. Lebanon's main exports to the UK are power generation machinery and equipment (including re-exports), clothing and beverages.

Promotional Programme

Trade Partners UK is supporting a full promotional programme for Lebanon. Details of recent events are set out below:

  • Milton Keynes Trade mission October 2001
  • Trade mission to NATN (medical/healthcare) exhibition & conference in Lebanon October 2001
  • Trade mission HOTELYMPIA (recreation/leisure) exhibition in Lebanon February 2002
  • Project Lebanon Beirut April 2002

This is an external link Trade Partners UK Country Profile: Lebanon


RECENT VISITS

Inward

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri visited the UK on 16-19 June 2002. On June 17 he called on the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Middle East.


HEALTH

Most Lebanese doctors are highly trained either in one of several Lebanese medical schools or abroad. The best hospitals are well equipped, although quality treatment is only open to those who can afford to pay. Most private hospitals will not treat a patient unless they can prove that they have the means to cover all medical expenses. Those Lebanese unable to afford private health care have to rely on the state-run public hospitals where conditions are much worse. The doctors tend to have been trained in the former USSR or Warsaw pact countries and have been unable to keep abreast of medical developments. There is little funding available for these hospitals and staffing levels are low and equipment often outdated or unreliable.

In addition to the hospitals there are numerous GP and specialist clinics and a plethora of pharmacies, all of which will dispense virtually any type of medicine without prescription.

Life expectancy is 68.9 years for men and 73.75 for women. Infant mortality, an estimated figure for 2000, is 29 for every 1000 live births.

TRAVEL

This is an internal link FCO Travel Advice: Lebanon


USEFUL LINKS

This is an external link United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

This is an external link British Council Lebanon

This is an external link Republic of Lebanon President's Office


Last updated: 16 June 2003
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