2014 Edition

Background

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade. The country's 1975-90 civil war that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has long influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.

Area

10,400 sq km 10,230 sq km 170 sq km

total

10,400 sq km

water

170 sq km

Area - comparative

Area comparison map:

Climate

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows

Coastline

225 km

Elevation extremes

Mediterranean Sea 0 m Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

highest point

Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.31 cu km/yr (29%/11%/60%) 316.8 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

316.8 cu m/yr (2005)

total

1.31 cu km/yr (29%/11%/60%)

Geographic coordinates

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Geography - note

smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity

Irrigated land

1,040 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

454 km Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

border countries

Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

total

454 km

Land use

10.72% 12.06% 77.22% (2011)

arable land

10.72%

other

77.22% (2011)

permanent crops

12.06%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

Terrain

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Total renewable water resources

4.5 cu km (2011)

Age structure

25.2% (male 758,153/female 723,619) 17.2% (male 515,591/female 493,879) 44.1% (male 1,309,544/female 1,283,074) 6.9% (male 185,503/female 219,242) 9.4% (male 175,911/female 218,046) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

25.2% (male 758,153/female 723,619)

15-24 years

17.2% (male 515,591/female 493,879)

25-54 years

44.1% (male 1,309,544/female 1,283,074)

55-64 years

6.9% (male 185,503/female 219,242)

65 years and over

9.4% (male 175,911/female 218,046) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

14.8 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

54,387 7 % (2000 est.)

percentage

7 % (2000 est.)

total number

54,387

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.2% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

58% (2004)

Death rate

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

40.6 % 28.3 % 12.3 % 8.1 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12.3 %

potential support ratio

8.1 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

40.6 %

youth dependency ratio

28.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

Health expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,600 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

7.98 deaths/1,000 live births 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births 7.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

7.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

7.98 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Life expectancy at birth

77.22 years 76.03 years 78.46 years (2014 est.)

female

78.46 years (2014 est.)

total population

77.22 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 89.6% 93.4% 86% (2007 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

86% (2007 est.)

male

93.4%

total population

89.6%

Major urban areas - population

BEIRUT (capital) 2.022 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

25 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.3 years 28.7 years 29.8 years (2014 est.)

female

29.8 years (2014 est.)

male

28.7 years

total

29.3 years

Nationality

Lebanese (singular and plural) Lebanese

adjective

Lebanese

noun

Lebanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

83.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.4% (2008)

Physicians density

3.54 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

5,882,562 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

9.37% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 54% (27% Sunni, 27% Shia), Christian 40.5% (includes 21% Maronite Catholic, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Greek Catholic, 6.5% other Christian), Druze 5.6%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons 18 religious sects recognized (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 87% of population total: 98.3% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 13% of population total: 1.7% of population (2005 est.)

rural

13% of population

total

1.7% of population (2005 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2012)

female

13 years (2012)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.74 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.8% 14.6% 22.3% (2009)

female

22.3% (2009)

total

16.8%

Urbanization

87.2% of total population (2011) 0.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

87.2% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye two new governorates - Aakkar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented

Capital

Beirut 33 52 N, 35 30 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

33 52 N, 35 30 E

name

Beirut

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)

Country name

Lebanese Republic Lebanon Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah Lubnan Greater Lebanon

conventional long form

Lebanese Republic

conventional short form

Lebanon

former

Greater Lebanon

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local short form

Lubnan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador David HALE (since 6 September 2013) Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality) P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 [961] (4) 542600, 543600 [961] (4) 544136

chief of mission

Ambassador David HALE (since 6 September 2013)

embassy

Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality)

FAX

[961] (4) 544136

mailing address

P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070

telephone

[961] (4) 542600, 543600

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Antoine CHEDID (since 4 June 2008) 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-6300 [1] (202) 939-6324 Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

chancery

2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Antoine CHEDID (since 4 June 2008)

consulate(s) general

Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 939-6324

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6300

Executive branch

President (vacant); note - Parliament has tried six times to elect a president and failed; President Michel SULAYMAN's term expired on 24 May 2014; the prime minister and his cabinet are temporarily taking over the duties of the president Prime Minister Tamam SALAM (since 6 April 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Samir MOQBIL (since 7 July 2011) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); first round of election held on 23 April 2014 (next to be held in 2020); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly 23 April 2014 first round parliamentary vote - Samir GEAGEA 48, Henri HELOU 16, Amin GEMAYEL 1; note - 86 out of a possible 128 votes required to win election; five subsequent rounds have failed because there was no quorum; a seventh round is scheduled to take place 18 June 2014

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly

chief of state

President (vacant); note - Parliament has tried six times to elect a president and failed; President Michel SULAYMAN's term expired on 24 May 2014; the prime minister and his cabinet are temporarily taking over the duties of the president

election results

23 April 2014 first round parliamentary vote - Samir GEAGEA 48, Henri HELOU 16, Amin GEMAYEL 1; note - 86 out of a possible 128 votes required to win election; five subsequent rounds have failed because there was no quorum; a seventh round is scheduled to take place 18 June 2014

elections

president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); first round of election held on 23 April 2014 (next to be held in 2020); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Tamam SALAM (since 6 April 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Samir MOQBIL (since 7 July 2011)

Flag description

three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity

Government type

republic

Independence

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 4 divisions, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members) Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms Courts of Appeal (6); Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 4 divisions, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal (6); Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by party following 16 July 2012 byelection held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56

election results

percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by party following 16 July 2012 byelection held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56

elections

last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)

National anthem

"Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!) Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA adopted 1927; the anthem was chosen following a nationwide competition

lyrics/music

Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA

name

"Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)

National holiday

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

National symbol(s)

cedar tree

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Left [Ilyas ATALLAH] Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD] Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL] Lebanese Forces [Samir JA'JA] Tripoli Independent Bloc Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI, leader of Amal Movement] Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN] Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH]) Nasserite Popular Movement [Usama SAAD] Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF] Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO] Tashnaq [Hovig MEKHITIRIAN] Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT, leader of Progressive Socialist Party] Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Maronite Church [Patriarch Bishara al-Ra'i] note - most sects retain militias and a number of militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps

other

note - most sects retain militias and a number of militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps

Suffrage

21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel

Agriculture - products

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats

Budget

$9.487 billion $13.56 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$13.56 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$9.487 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 7.25% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.224 billion (2013 est.) -$1.663 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$26.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $25.16 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Economy - overview

Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks, which saddled the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007 following the July 2006 war. The collapse of the MIKATI government in early 2011 over its backing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the conflict in neighboring Syria slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-13, after four years of 8% average growth. In September 2011 the Cabinet endorsed a bill that would provide $1.2 billion in funding to improve Lebanon's downtrodden electricity sector, but fiscal limitations will test the government's ability to invest in other areas, such as water.

Exchange rates

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2013 est.) 1,507.5 (2012 est.) 1,507.5 (2010 est.) 1,507.5 (2009) 1,507.5 (2008)

Exports

$5.826 billion (2013 est.) $5.615 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Exports - partners

South Africa 19.3%, Switzerland 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 8%, UAE 7.9%, Syria 6.6%, Iraq 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

82.3% 14.9% 31.2% 18.6% -47% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

18.6%

government consumption

14.9%

household consumption

82.3%

imports of goods and services

-47%

investment in fixed capital

31.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

4.6% 20% 75.4% (2013 est.)

agriculture

4.6%

industry

20%

services

75.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,800 (2013 est.) $15,800 (2012 est.) $15,800 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2013 est.) 1.5% (2012 est.) 1.5% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$43.49 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$64.31 billion (2013 est.) $63.36 billion (2012 est.) $62.42 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

24.6% of GDP (2013 est.) 29.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$20.97 billion (2013 est.) $20.33 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 11.2%, Italy 8.6%, China 8.3%, France 7.2%, Germany 5.6%, Turkey 4.5%, Greece 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2013 est.)

Industries

banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5% (2013 est.) 6.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.481 million does not include as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.16 billion (31 December 2011) $12.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

28% (1999 est.)

Public debt

120% of GDP (2013 est.) 119.6% of GDP (2012 est.) data cover central government debt, and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$51.95 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $52.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$97.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$80.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $75.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.419 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.712 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

19.45 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

14.19 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

87.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

12.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.245 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.314 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

14.81 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

150 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

150 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

106,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

120,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

7 TV stations, 1 of which is state-owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state-owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2007)

Internet country code

.lb

Internet hosts

64,926 (2012)

Internet users

1 million (2009)

Telephone system

repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2011)

domestic

two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete

international

country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

878,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4 million (2012)

Airports

8 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

3

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 7, carrier 17, vehicle carrier 1 2 (Syria 2) 34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Syria 2)

registered in other countries

34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

total

29

Pipelines

gas 88 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Beirut, Tripoli Beirut (1,034,249)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Beirut (1,034,249)

major seaport(s)

Beirut, Tripoli

Railways

401 km 319 km 1.435-m gauge 82 km 1.050-m gauge rail system unusable because of the damage done during fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2008)

narrow gauge

82 km 1.050-m gauge

total

401 km

Roadways

6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)

total

6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)

Manpower available for military service

1,081,016 1,115,349 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,115,349 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,081,016

Manpower fit for military service

920,825 941,806 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

941,806 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

920,825

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

36,856 35,121 (2010 est.)

female

35,121 (2010 est.)

male

36,856

Military branches

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)

Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)

Military expenditures

4.04% of GDP (2012) 4.06% of GDP (2011) 4.04% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-24 years of age for officer candidates; no conscription (2013)

Disputes - international

lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon has been in place since 1978

Illicit drugs

cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking

Refugees and internally displaced persons

447,328 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 1,107,550 (Syria) (2014) at least 20,000 (2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2013)

IDPs

at least 20,000 (2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

447,328 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 1,107,550 (Syria) (2014)

Trafficking in persons

Lebanon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Eastern European women and children are transported through Lebanon for sexual exploitation in other Middle Eastern countries; women from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar, Congo, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are often subject to conditions indicative of forced labor, including the withholding of passports, nonpayment of wages, restricted movement, threats, and abuse; Lebanon's artiste visa program enabling women to work as dancers for three months in the adult entertainment industry sustains a significant sex trade; anecdotal information indicates some Lebanese children are victims of forced labor, such as street begging and commercial sexual exploitation; Syrian refugee women and children in Lebanon are at increased risk of sex trafficking Tier 2 Watch List - Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government conducts investigations of human trafficking and possibly some prosecutions but for another year did not report convicting any trafficking offenders or officials complicit in human trafficking; the government continues to lack a formal system for identifying victims and does not have a policy to protect victims from being punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; NGOs, rather than the government, provide victim assistance and protection (2013)

current situation

Lebanon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Eastern European women and children are transported through Lebanon for sexual exploitation in other Middle Eastern countries; women from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar, Congo, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are often subject to conditions indicative of forced labor, including the withholding of passports, nonpayment of wages, restricted movement, threats, and abuse; Lebanon's artiste visa program enabling women to work as dancers for three months in the adult entertainment industry sustains a significant sex trade; anecdotal information indicates some Lebanese children are victims of forced labor, such as street begging and commercial sexual exploitation; Syrian refugee women and children in Lebanon are at increased risk of sex trafficking

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government conducts investigations of human trafficking and possibly some prosecutions but for another year did not report convicting any trafficking offenders or officials complicit in human trafficking; the government continues to lack a formal system for identifying victims and does not have a policy to protect victims from being punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; NGOs, rather than the government, provide victim assistance and protection (2013)