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Lebanon Country
Overview
Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions
since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil war. Under the
Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese
have established a more equitable political system, particularly by
giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing
sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the
Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias
have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)
have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of
the country.
Hizballah, a radical Shia organization,
retains its weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized
in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000
based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley.
Damascus justifies its continued military
presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the
Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in
the Ta'if Accord.
Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon
in May 2000, however, encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that
Syria withdraw its forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early
October 2004 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon
and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese
groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon.
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Land boundaries:
total: 454 km
border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon
mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and
Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m
Nationality:
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups:
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions:
Muslim 59.7% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri),
Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox,
Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant), other
1.3%
note: seventeen religious sects recognized
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Country name:
conventional long form: Lebanese Republic
conventional short form: Lebanon
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form: Lubnan
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Beirut
Administrative divisions:
6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Beqaa, Liban-Nord,
Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye
Independence:
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
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
Currency (code):
Lebanese pound (LBP)
Exchange rates:
Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2004), 1,507.5 (2003), 1,507.5
(2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000)
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