Changes

|queen         =

|queen         =

|monarch-raw =

|monarch-raw =

|president =Michel Aoun

|president =Joseph Aoun

|president-raw =

|president-raw =

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         =Saad Hariri

|pm         =

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =Nawaf Salam

|area         =4,015 sq mi

|area         =4,015 sq mi

|pop         =6,850,000 (2020)

|pop         =6,850,000 (2020)

|gdp-year =2006

|gdp-year =2006

|gdp-pc         =$5,500  

|gdp-pc         =$5,500  

|currency =Lebanese pound 

|currency =Lebanese lira

|idd =

|idd =

|tld            =

|tld            =

*Finance Minister—Jihad Azour

*Finance Minister—Jihad Azour

*Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister—Elias Murr

*Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister—Elias Murr

*Ambassador to the U.S.--Antoine Chedid  

*Ambassador to the U.S.—Antoine Chedid  

*Ambassador to the UN—Nawaf Salam

*Ambassador to the UN—Nawaf Salam

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

Lebanese political institutions often play a secondary role to highly confessionalist personality-based politics. Powerful families also still play an independent role in mobilizing votes for both local and parliamentary elections. Nonetheless, a lively panoply of domestic political parties, some even predating independence, still exists. The largest are all confessional based. The Phalange, National Bloc, National Liberal Party, Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) are overwhelmingly Christian parties. Amal and Hezbollah are the main rivals for the organized Shi'a vote, and the PSP (Progressive Socialist Party) is the leading Druze party. In the recent parliamentary elections, an anti-Syrian opposition coalition ("March 14") emerged, led by Sa'ad Hariri's predominantly Sunni Future Movement and allied with Druze leader Jumblatt, the Qornet Shehwan coalition of center-right Christian politicians, Samir Geagea's mostly Maronite Lebanese Forces, and Elias Attallah's Democratic Left secular movement. In addition to domestic parties, there are branches of pan-Arab secular parties (Ba'ath, socialist and communist parties) that were active in the 1960s and throughout the period of civil war.  

Lebanese political institutions often play a secondary role to highly confessionalist personality-based politics. Powerful families also still play an independent role in mobilizing votes for both local and parliamentary elections. Nonetheless, a lively panoply of domestic political parties, some even predating independence, still exists. The largest are all confessional based. The Phalange, National Bloc, National Liberal Party, Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) are overwhelmingly Christian parties. Amal and Hezbollah are the main rivals for the organized Shi'a vote, and the PSP (Progressive Socialist Party) is the leading Druze party. In the recent parliamentary elections, an anti-Syrian opposition coalition ("March 14") emerged, led by Sa'ad Hariri's predominantly Sunni Future Movement and allied with Druze leader Jumblatt, the Qornet Shehwan coalition of center-right Christian politicians, Samir Geagea's mostly Maronite Lebanese Forces, and Elias Attallah's Democratic Left secular movement. In addition to domestic parties, there are branches of pan-Arab secular parties (Ba'ath, socialist and communist parties) that were active in the 1960s and throughout the period of civil war.  

 

There are differences both between and among Muslim and Christian parties regarding the role of religion in state affairs. There is a very high degree of political activism among religious leaders across the sectarian spectrum. The interplay for position and power among the religious, political, and party leaders and groups produces a political tapestry of extraordinary complexity.  

There are differences both between and among Muslim and Christian parties regarding the role of religion in state affairs. There is a very high degree of political activism among religious leaders across the sectarian spectrum. The interplay for position and power among the religious, political, and party leaders and groups produces a political tapestry of extraordinary complexity.  

Palestinian refugees, predominantly Sunni Muslims, who numbered 405,525 in 2006 according to UNWRA, are not active on the domestic political scene. Nonetheless, they constitute an important minority whose naturalization/settlement in Lebanon is vigorously opposed by most Lebanese, who see them as a threat to Lebanon's delicate confessional balance. During 2002, parliament enacted legislation banning Palestinians from owning property in Lebanon. The Labor Ministry opened up professions previously closed to Palestinians in June 2005. The number of recent Iraqi refugees numbers in the tens of thousands and is believed to be growing.

Palestinian refugees, predominantly Sunni Muslims, who numbered 405,525 in 2006 according to UNWRA, are not active on the domestic political scene. Nonetheless, they constitute an important minority whose naturalization/settlement in Lebanon is vigorously opposed by most Lebanese, who see them as a threat to Lebanon's delicate confessional balance. During 2002, parliament enacted legislation banning Palestinians from owning property in Lebanon. The Labor Ministry opened up professions previously closed to Palestinians in June 2005. The number of recent Iraqi refugees numbers in the tens of thousands and is believed to be growing.

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

====Beginning of the Civil War, 1975-81====

====Beginning of the Civil War, 1975-81====

=====Palestinians=====

=====Islamic Palestinians=====

The [[Palestinian]] actions' effect was great in triggering the civil war (exacerbating the already existing tension between Muslims & Christians).<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/palestinian-refugees-may-yield-weapons Palestinian refugees may yield weapons], Jerusalem Post Staff. JPost, Oct 17, 2005.

The Islamic [[Palestinian]] actions' effect was great in triggering the civil war (exacerbating the already existing tension between Muslims & Christians).<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/palestinian-refugees-may-yield-weapons Palestinian refugees may yield weapons], Jerusalem Post Staff. JPost, Oct 17, 2005.

''Lebanon has long viewed the armed Palestinians with suspicion, largely due to the guerrillas' role in the 1975-90 civil war.''</ref>

''Lebanon has long viewed the armed Palestinians with suspicion, largely due to the guerrillas' role in the 1975-90 civil war.''</ref>

<ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3678223,00.html Fatah] Ynetnews, Feb 26, 2009.

<ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3678223,00.html Fatah] Ynetnews, Feb 26, 2009.

That year -- 1975 -- Christian rage boiled over, and Lebanon's long civil war began. By early 1976, the PLO and its allies controlled most of the country. But that summer Palestinian assassins murdered the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, and the U.S., Israel and the Arab states tacitly supported a Syrian-led invasion of the country, which reversed many PLO gains. An October ceasefire stabilized the situation. But 40,000 had been killed. And in subsequent years, PLO attacks into Israel continued, provoking more Israeli retaliation.</blockquote></ref>

That year -- 1975 -- Christian rage boiled over, and Lebanon's long civil war began. By early 1976, the PLO and its allies controlled most of the country. But that summer Palestinian assassins murdered the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, and the U.S., Israel and the Arab states tacitly supported a Syrian-led invasion of the country, which reversed many PLO gains. An October ceasefire stabilized the situation. But 40,000 had been killed. And in subsequent years, PLO attacks into Israel continued, provoking more Israeli retaliation.</blockquote></ref>

Full-scale civil war broke out in April 1975. After shots were fired at a church, gunmen in Christian East Beirut ambushed a busload of Palestinians. Palestinian forces joined predominantly leftist-Muslim factions as the fighting persisted, eventually spreading to most parts of the country and precipitating the Lebanese President's call for support from Syrian troops in June 1976. In fall of 1976, Arab summits in Riyadh and Cairo set out a plan to end the war. The resulting Arab Deterrent Force, which included Syrian troops already present, moved in to help separate the combatants. As an uneasy quiet settled over Beirut, security conditions in the south began to deteriorate.  

Full-scale civil war broke out in April 1975. After shots were fired at a church, gunmen in Christian East Beirut ambushed a busload of Islamic Palestinians. Palestinian forces joined predominantly leftist-Muslim factions as the fighting persisted, eventually spreading to most parts of the country and precipitating the Lebanese President's call for support from Syrian troops in June 1976. In fall of 1976, Arab summits in Riyadh and Cairo set out a plan to end the war. The resulting Arab Deterrent Force, which included Syrian troops already present, moved in to help separate the combatants. As an uneasy quiet settled over Beirut, security conditions in the south began to deteriorate.  

The "[[Palestinian]]" militias sparked the beginning of a long and destructive civil war. Led by Yasir [[Arafat]] they ''aimed to cleanse the south from its inhabitants whom were opposing the oppressive Palestinian military presence and Arab nationalism.'' Arafat once stated that “the road to Jerusalem goes through Jounieh.”<ref name=forgotten>[https://medium.com/@AsAbove_SoBelow/lebanons-long-forgotten-massacre-e3909e4bf13e Lebanon's long forgotten massacre | by XXVII.IV | Medium. Jan 20, 2019].

The "[[Palestinian]]" Islamic militias sparked the beginning of a long and destructive civil war. Led by Yasir [[Arafat]] they ''aimed to cleanse the south from its inhabitants whom were opposing the oppressive Palestinian military presence and Arab nationalism.'' Arafat once stated that “the road to Jerusalem goes through Jounieh.”<ref name=forgotten>[https://medium.com/@AsAbove_SoBelow/lebanons-long-forgotten-massacre-e3909e4bf13e Lebanon's long forgotten massacre | by XXVII.IV | Medium. Jan 20, 2019].

''Back then the Palestinian militias sparked the beginning of a long destructive civil war. The Palestinian armed militants led by Yaser Arafat aimed to cleanse the south from its inhabitants whom were opposing the oppressive Palestinian military presence and Arab nationalism... Palestinian militiamen taking celebratory pictures after taking over The Damour. 

''Back then the Palestinian militias sparked the beginning of a long destructive civil war. The Palestinian armed militants led by Yaser Arafat aimed to cleanse the south from its inhabitants whom were opposing the oppressive Palestinian military presence and Arab nationalism... Palestinian militiamen taking celebratory pictures after taking over The Damour. 

Arafat once stated that “the road to Jerusalem goes through Jounieh.”''</ref><ref>Charbel Hage (@CharbelHage12) Tweeted: #Israel in 2021 is the victim of #Palestinian terrorism... #Lebanon was in the 70’s and 80’s.

Arafat once stated that “the road to Jerusalem goes through Jounieh.”''</ref><ref>Charbel Hage (@CharbelHage12) Tweeted: #Israel in 2021 is the victim of #Palestinian terrorism... #Lebanon was in the 70’s and 80’s.

<ref>M. Deeb (2003). "[https://books.google.com/books?id=nTHIAAAAQBAJ Syria’s Terrorist War on Lebanon and the Peace Process]".

<ref>M. Deeb (2003). "[https://books.google.com/books?id=nTHIAAAAQBAJ Syria’s Terrorist War on Lebanon and the Peace Process]".

''This study demonstrates that Syria's role in the Middle East has been, since 1974, an unabated terrorist war against all attempts to resolve peacefully the Arab-Israeli conflict.''</ref>

''This study demonstrates that Syria's role in the Middle East has been, since 1974, an unabated terrorist war against all attempts to resolve peacefully the Arab-Israeli conflict.''</ref>

=====PLO attack=====

=====PLO attack=====

====Worsening violence minutes after Israel's exit 1983====

====Worsening violence minutes after Israel's exit 1983====

Immediately after the IDF evacuated the Chouf Mountains region Lebanon in Sept. 4, 1983, an explosion of violence erupted, minutes after.

Immediately after the IDF evacuated the Chouf Mountains region Lebanon in Sept. 4, 1983, an explosion of violence erupted, minutes after.

Especially troubling was the "shelling of units of the multinational force, charged with supporting the embattled government of Lebanon, marked a new escalation."<ref>[https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1983/9/19/slaughter-in-lebanon "Slaughter in Lebanon," Linda Diebel, Macleans, Sep 19, 1983.

Especially troubling was the "shelling of units of the multinational force, charged with supporting the embattled government of Lebanon, marked a new [[escalation]]."<ref>[https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1983/9/19/slaughter-in-lebanon "Slaughter in Lebanon"], Linda Diebel, Macleans, Sep 19, 1983.

''The fighting had erupted Sept. 4, minutes after the Israeli army evacuated the Chouf Mountains overlooking Beirut.''</ref> Secterian clashes resumed. Such was the case in the Chouf region.

''The fighting had erupted Sept. 4, minutes after the Israeli army evacuated the Chouf Mountains overlooking Beirut.''</ref> Secterian clashes resumed. Such was the case in the Chouf region.

As explained in the ''Christian Science Monitor'':<ref>"[https://www.csmonitor.com/1995/1020/20071.html A Lebanon Village Welcomes Christians Once Driven Away]Edward Yeranian, Special to The Christian Science Monitor Oct 22, 1995.

As explained in the ''Christian Science Monitor'':<ref>"[https://www.csmonitor.com/1995/1020/20071.html A Lebanon Village Welcomes Christians Once Driven Away]Edward Yeranian, Special to The Christian Science Monitor Oct 22, 1995.

In the nearby villages of Kfar Matta and Kfar Nabrakh, the Christian militia also massacred several dozen Druze civilians.</blockquote>

In the nearby villages of Kfar Matta and Kfar Nabrakh, the Christian militia also massacred several dozen Druze civilians.</blockquote>

====Worsening Conflict and Political Crisis, 1985-89====

====Worsening Conflict and Political Crisis, 1985-89====

In Mar 2022:<ref>@AFP Tweeted ([https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1501943462568071168 Mar 10, 2022]): <blockquote>

In Mar 2022:<ref>@AFP Tweeted ([https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1501943462568071168 Mar 10, 2022]): <blockquote>

#UPDATE A UN-backed tribunal has found two Hezbollah members guilty on appeal for the 2005 death of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, saying both were involved in the bombing that killed him.</blockquote></ref><blockquote>A UN-backed tribunal has found two [[Hezbollah]] members guilty on appeal for the 2005 death of former [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] prime minister [[Rafic Hariri]], saying both were involved in the bombing that killed him.</blockquote>

UPDATE A UN-backed tribunal has found two Hezbollah members guilty on appeal for the 2005 death of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, saying both were involved in the bombing that killed him.</blockquote></ref><blockquote>A UN-backed tribunal has found two [[Hezbollah]] members guilty on appeal for the 2005 death of former [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] prime minister [[Rafic Hariri]], saying both were involved in the bombing that killed him.</blockquote>

Naturally:<ref>[https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/03/10/Two-guilty-of-2005-Hariri-slaying-on-appeal-UN-tribunal- Two guilty of 2005 Hariri slaying on appeal: UN tribunal] Al Arabiya, Mar 10, 2022.</ref><blockquote>Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah movement, refused to hand over any of the suspects or to recognize the UN-backed court, which has issued an international warrant for the arrest of Ayyash.</blockquote>

Naturally:<ref>[https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/03/10/Two-guilty-of-2005-Hariri-slaying-on-appeal-UN-tribunal- Two guilty of 2005 Hariri slaying on appeal: UN tribunal] Al Arabiya, Mar 10, 2022.</ref><blockquote>Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah movement, refused to hand over any of the suspects or to recognize the UN-backed court, which has issued an international warrant for the arrest of Ayyash.</blockquote>

====Hezbollah war with Israel, 2006====

====Hezbollah war with Israel, 2006====

On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah guerrillas crossed into Israel, killed three Israeli soldiers, and kidnapped two others, precipitating a war with Israel. Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah positions in the south and strategic targets throughout Lebanon, and Israeli ground forces ground forces moved against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah resisted the ground attack and fired thousands of rockets at civilian targets in Israel. By the time the war ended, on Aug. 14, an estimated 1200 Lebanese civilians and hundreds of Hezbollah fighters had died, along with 119 Israeli military and 43 Israeli civilians. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war, provided for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal and lifting of blockades, disarming of Hezbollah and other militias, and a ban on unauthorized weapons transfers into Lebanon. UNSCR 1701 also significantly strengthened UNIFIL's mandate and authorized its enlargement from about 2,000 initially up to a maximum of 15,000. Bolstered by UNIFIL, which by the beginning of 2007 had more than 11,000 personnel, the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed to southern Lebanon and the border with Israel for the first time in almost four decades.  

On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah guerrillas crossed into Israel, killed three Israeli soldiers, and kidnapped two others, precipitating a war with Israel. Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah positions in the south and strategic targets throughout Lebanon, and Israeli ground forces ground forces moved against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah resisted the ground attack and fired thousands of rockets at civilian targets in Israel. By the time the war ended, on Aug. 14, an estimated 1200 Lebanese civilians and hundreds of Hezbollah fighters had died, along with 119 Israeli military and 43 Israeli civilians. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war, provided for a [[ceasefire]], Israeli withdrawal and lifting of blockades, disarming of Hezbollah and other militias, and a ban on unauthorized weapons transfers into Lebanon. UNSCR 1701 also significantly strengthened UNIFIL's mandate and authorized its enlargement from about 2,000 initially up to a maximum of 15,000. Bolstered by UNIFIL, which by the beginning of 2007 had more than 11,000 personnel, the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed to southern Lebanon and the border with Israel for the first time in almost four decades.  

The war temporarily or permanently displaced roughly one-fourth of Lebanon's population, and caused enormous damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The country, which was already seriously indebted, suffered roughly $5 billion in damages and financial losses. The international community provided massive humanitarian relief, plus substantial aid for economic reconstruction and reform, with $940 million in aid pledged at an August 31, 2006 donors conference in Stockholm and $7.6 billion in pledges announced at a Paris conference January 25, 2007. Aid pledged in Paris was to be coordinated with the Lebanese Government's program for fiscal and economic reform.

The war temporarily or permanently displaced roughly one-fourth of Lebanon's population, and caused enormous damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The country, which was already seriously indebted, suffered roughly $5 billion in damages and financial losses. The international community provided massive humanitarian relief, plus substantial aid for economic reconstruction and reform, with $940 million in aid pledged at an August 31, 2006 donors conference in Stockholm and $7.6 billion in pledges announced at a Paris conference January 25, 2007. Aid pledged in Paris was to be coordinated with the Lebanese Government's program for fiscal and economic reform.