Foreign relations of Lebanon

The foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria. The framework for relations was first codified in May 1991, when Lebanon and Syria signed a treaty of mutual cooperation. This treaty came out of the Taif Agreement, which stipulated that "Lebanon is linked to Syria by distinctive ties deriving strength from kinship, history, and common interests." The Lebanese-Syria treaty calls for "coordination and cooperation between the two countries" that would serve the "interests of the two countries within the framework of sovereignty and independence of each." Numerous agreements on political, economic, security, and judicial affairs have followed over the years.

After Syria's military withdrawal in 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy charted a more independent course.

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Algeria		Algeria has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Algiers.
Côte d'Ivoire		Approximately 100,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Côte d'Ivoire. Côte d'Ivoire has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Abidjan. See Lebanese people in Ivory Coast
Democratic Republic of Congo		Lebanon has an embassy in Kinshasa. The Democratic Republic of Congo has an consulate in Beirut.
Egypt		Egypt has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Cairo and a consulate-general in Alexandria.
Ethiopia		Ethiopia has a consulate-general in Beirut.
Ghana		Ghana is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Lebanon has an embassy in Accra.
Guinea		Guinea is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Lebanon has an embassy in Conakry.
Morocco		Lebanon has an embassy in Rabat. Morocco has an embassy in Beirut.
Nigeria		Lebanon has an embassy in Abuja. Nigeria has an embassy in Beirut.
Senegal		Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Senegal. Lebanon has an embassy in Dakar. See Lebanese people in Senegal
Sierra Leone		Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Sierra Leone. Lebanon has an embassy in Freetown. See Lebanese people in Sierra Leone
South Africa		Lebanon has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Damascus, Syria.
Sudan		Lebanon has an embassy in Khartoum. Sudan has an embassy in Beirut.
Tunisia		Lebanon has an embassy in Tunis. Tunisia has an embassy in Beirut.

Americas

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina	1945	See Argentina–Lebanon relations Argentina has an embassy in Beirut.[1] Lebanon has an embassy in Buenos Aires.[2] See also Lebanese Argentines.
Brazil	November 1945	See Brazil–Lebanon relations Brazil has an embassy in Beirut.[3] Lebanon has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.[4] See also Lebanese Brazilians.
Canada	1954	See Canada–Lebanon relations Canada established diplomatic relations with Lebanon in 1954, when Canada deployed "Envoy Extraordinaire" to Beirut. In 1958, Canada sent its first Ambassador. The Embassy was closed in 1985 and reopened in January 1995. Lebanon opened a consulate in Canada in 1946. A Consulate-General replaced the Consulate in 1949, and an embassy was opened in Ottawa in 1958. Canada has an embassy in Beirut.[5] Lebanon has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.[6] See also Lebanese Canadians
Chile	1945	See Chile–Lebanon relations Chile has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Santiago. See Lebanese Chileans
Colombia		Colombia has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Bogotá. See Lebanese Colombians
Cuba		Cuba has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Havana.
El Salvador		El Salvador is accredited to Lebanon from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Lebanon is accredited to El Salvador from its embassy in Mexico City.
Mexico	12 June 1945	See Lebanon–Mexico relations Mexico was among the first nations to recognize Lebanon's independence in 1943. Lebanon has an embassy in Mexico City.[7] Mexico has an embassy in Beirut.[8] The Centro Libanés and "Club Deportivo Libanés" in Mexico City are important symbols representing the historically cultural and social ties between both countries. See also Lebanese Mexicans.
Panama		Panama has a consulate-general in Beirut.
Paraguay		Lebanon has an embassy in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Beirut. See Lebanese Paraguayans
United States		See Lebanon–United States relations The United States' interaction with Lebanon extends back to events such as the 1958 Lebanon crisis, which it sent in troops to fortify the government's position. Lebanon's southern neighbor, Israel, has also sent troops on several occasions, and attacked into Lebanon in response to Hezbollah kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. A possible source of friction between the U.S. and Lebanon is that most of Israel's weaponry is US-made, arguing possible US complicity in Israel's attacks. Lebanon has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City.[9] United States has an embassy in Beirut.[10] See also Lebanese Americans
Uruguay	25 October 1945	See Lebanon–Uruguay relations Uruguay recognized Lebanon's independence on November 22, 1943. Lebanon has an embassy in Montevideo. Uruguay has an embassy in Beirut.[11] See also Lebanese Uruguayans
Venezuela		Lebanon has an embassy in Caracas. Venezuela has an embassy in Beirut. See Lebanese Venezuelans

Asia

Lebanon also has bilateral trade agreements with several Arab states and is in the process of accession to the World Trade Organization. Lebanon traditionally enjoys warm relations with other pro-Western Arab states. At various times, however, it has seen tension with Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Libya. In March 2002, in honor of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the South of the country, the Arab League met in Lebanon for the first time since 1967. Lebanon also is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Hezbollah maintains a close relationship with Iran, largely centered on Shi'a Muslim links and animosity towards Israel.

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	1992-03-04	See Armenia–Lebanon relations Lebanon is host to the eighth largest Armenian population in the world. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Armenia announced that it would send humanitarian aid to Lebanon. According to the Armenian government, an unspecified amount of medicines, tents and fire-fighting equipment was allocated to Lebanese authorities on July 27, 2006.[12][13] On May 11, 2000, the Lebanese parliament voted to recognize the Armenian genocide.[14] Lebanon is the first Arab country and one of the few countries of the world to have done so. Armenia has embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Yerevan.
Azerbaijan		See Azerbaijan–Lebanon relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Beirut.
Bahrain		Bahrain has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Manama.
China		China has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Beijing. In June 2020, Lebanon was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[15]
India		See India-Lebanon relations India has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in New Delhi.
Indonesia	1950	See Indonesia–Lebanon relations Indonesia has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Jakarta.
Iran		See Iran–Lebanon relations Iran has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Tehran.
Iraq		See Iraq–Lebanon relations Lebanon and Iraq share the same language and mutual support for each other in conflicts, Lebanon's relations with Iraq have at most times been cold. Issues include the Lebanese Government's strong material and political assistance of Hezbollah and ongoing clashes in Iraq between the Sunnis and Shias. Iraq has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Baghdad.
Israel		See Israel–Lebanon relations
Japan		Japan has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Tokyo.
Jordan		See Jordan–Lebanon relations Jordan has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Amman.
Kazakhstan		Kazakhstan has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Nur-Sultan.
Kuwait		Kuwait has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Kuwait City.
Malaysia		See Lebanon–Malaysia relations Lebanon has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.[16] Malaysia has an embassy in Beirut.[17]
Pakistan		See Lebanon–Pakistan relations Pakistan does not recognize Israel, which has hostile relations with Lebanon, as a legitimate country.[18] Lebanon has an embassy in Islamabad. Pakistan has an embassy in Beirut.
Palestine		Palestine has an embassy in Beirut.
Qatar		Lebanon has an embassy in Doha. Qatar has an embassy in Beirut.
Saudi Arabia		In 2008, the Saudi Foreign Minister, prince Saud Al Faisal secretly proposed setting up an Arab military force to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon with the help of the United States, UN and NATO. According to leaked diplomatic memos, Faisal has accused the UN troops in Lebanon of "sitting doing nothing", and voiced concerns that Iran will use Hezbollah to take over Lebanon.[19] In 2017, Saudi Arabia stated that Lebanon had declared war on them, due to the alleged aggression of Hezbollah.[20][21][22] Lebanon has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Beirut.
South Korea	12 February 1981	Lebanon has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Beirut.
Syria		See Lebanon–Syria relations The relationship between these two neighboring countries in Western Asia is complex: Syria has had troops stationed in Lebanon and has exerted political influence in the nation for many years.[23] However, Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.[24] Lebanon has an embassy in Damascus. Syria has an embassy in Beirut.
Turkey		See Lebanon–Turkey relations Lebanon has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Beirut.
United Arab Emirates		See Lebanon–United Arab Emirates relations Lebanon has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Beirut.

Europe

Lebanon concluded negotiations on an association agreement with the European Union in late 2001, and both sides initialed the accord in January 2002, the accord becoming known as the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement. The EU-Lebanon Action Plan from 19 January 2007 gave a new impetus to bilateral relations in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy.

Lebanon is one of the main Mediterranean beneficiaries of community assistance and the EU through its various instruments is Lebanon’s leading donor. Starting from 2007 financial support is channeled through the European Neighborhood Policy Instrument. A Lebanon Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 and a National Indicative Program 2007-2010 have been adopted by the EU. The assistance provided was refocused after the Second Lebanon War in order to engage in real help for the government and the society in reconstruction and reform of the country.[25]

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Bulgaria	1966-09-19	Since May 1967, Bulgaria has had an embassy in Beirut.[26] Since 1983, Lebanon has had an embassy in Sofia.[27] Both countries are full members of the Francophonie and of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Denmark		Denmark has an embassy in Beirut.[28] Lebanon is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[29]
France		See France–Lebanon relations In 2007, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ordered ties with Syria to be suspended until proof Damascus was not interfering in the Lebanese political crisis was established.[30] A week after Sarkozy's statement in Cairo, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Muallem announced Syria was ceasing their ties with France.[31] "Syria has decided to cease cooperation with France on the Lebanese crisis" said Mouallem. In July 2008, France and Syria decided to open embassies in each other's countries.[32] In April 2009, French and Lebanese officials approved the framework of a security agreement that besides improving bilateral relations include drugs and arms trafficking, illegal immigration and cyber-crime.[33] France has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon as an embassy in Paris and a consulate-general in Marseille.
Germany		Germany has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Berlin.
Greece		See Greece–Lebanon relations The relation between both people dates back to early antiquity, with the early trading activities between the ancient Greeks and the Phoenicians. In modern times, Greek-Lebanese bilateral relations are very good at all levels. Greece has an embassy in Beirut and Lebanon has an embassy in Athens. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Francophonie. Greece has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Athens.
Holy See	1947	See Holy See–Lebanon relations The Holy See has played a major role in the peace negotiations of Lebanon. It has sought to unify Christian factions that were separated after the Lebanese civil war. At the same time, it sought to reduce Christian-Muslim tensions and to preserve Christian communities that have been declining in many parts of Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East. Holy See has a nunciature in Harissa. Lebanon has an embassy in Rome accredited to the Holy See.
Ireland		Ireland is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Lebanon is accredited to Ireland from its embassy in London, UK.
Italy		See Italy–Lebanon relations Lebanon opened a legation in 1946, which was transformed into an embassy in 1955. Both countries signed a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Navigation in 1949. Rome supported the reconstruction of Lebanon after the Taef Agreement. Also, Italian companies, from almost all sectors, operate in Lebanon. Italy has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Rome.
Netherlands		Lebanon has an embassy in The Hague. Netherlands has an embassy in Beirut.
Poland		Lebanon has an embassy in Warsaw. Poland has an embassy in Beirut.
Romania	6 January 1965	See Lebanon–Romania relations Lebanon has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Constanța.[34] Romania has an embassy in Beirut an honorary consulate in Tripoli.[34] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean and of the Francophonie
Russia		See Lebanon–Russia relations Lebanon has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Beirut.
Spain		See Lebanon–Spain relations Lebanon has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Beirut.
Sweden	2016	Lebanon has an Embassy in Stockholm Sweden has an Embassy in Beirut
United Kingdom		Lebanon has an embassy in London. United Kingdom has an embassy in Beirut.

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia		74,000 Lebanese-born people live in Australia, mainly in Sydney, and there are more people of Lebanese descent including Marie Bashir, Steve Bracks and Hazem El Masri. Australia has a modest trade relationship with Lebanon and has also given foreign aid in the aftermath of the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990. Australia has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Canberra and consulates-general in Melbourne and Sydney.
New Zealand		Lebanon is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia. New Zealand is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

See also

• Constitution of Lebanon
• Lebanese diaspora
• Lebanese identity card
• Lebanese nationality law
• Lebanese passport
• List of diplomatic missions in Lebanon
• List of diplomatic missions of Lebanon
• Politics of Lebanon
• Visa policy of Lebanon
• Visa requirements for Lebanese citizens

References and footnotes

• Eisenberg, Laura Zittrain; Caplan, Neil (1998). Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: Patterns, Problems, Possibilities. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-21159-X.
• Schiff, Ze'ev; Ya'ari, Ehud (1984). Israel's Lebanon War. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-47991-1.
• Shlaim, Avi (2001). The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-32112-6.

1. Embassy of Argentina in Lebanon
2. Embassy of Lebanon in Argentina
3. Embassy of Brazil in Lebanon
4. Embassy of Lebanon in Brazil
5. "Embassy of Canada in Lebanon". Archived from the original on 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
6. Embassy of Lebanon in Canada
7. Embassy of Lebanon in Mexico City (in Arabic and Spanish)
8. Embassy of Mexico in Beirut (in Spanish)
9. "Embassy of Lebanon in the United States". Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
10. Embassy of the United States in Lebanon
11. Embassy of Uruguay in Lebanon
12. Armenia To Provide Relief To Lebanon, Armenialiberty.org
13. Armenia Sent Humanitarian Assistance To Lebanon, PanArmenian.Net
14. International Affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia Foreign Ministry
15. Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
16. "Lebanese Embassies, Missions, Consulates, Honorary Consulates abroad" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon. p. 13. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
17. "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Beirut". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
18. Messages to Lebanon Pakistan MOFA
19. Saudi plan for anti-Hezbollah force revealed, AFP and Ynet, 12 August 2010
20. "Saudi Arabia says Lebanon 'declaring war' against it". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
21. "Saudi Arabia says Lebanon declares war, deepening crisis". Reuters. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
22. "Saudi Arabia: Lebanon declared war on us". Israel National News. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
23. "BBC NEWS - Middle East - Q&: Syria and Lebanon". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
24. Ten steps to Syria-Lebanon ties BBC News
25. Republic of Lebanon Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine. European Commission: External Relations
26. Bulgarian embassy in Beirut
27. Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Lebanese embassy in Sofia
28. Libanon Danske kontaktoplysninger
29. "Lebanon Embassy in Stockholm". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
30. "France to cut Syria ties over Lebanon presidential crisis". Haaretz. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
31. "France and Syria divorce over Lebanon crises". Ya Libnan. LB. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
32. "International News". ABC news. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
33. "Naharnet — Lebanon's leading news destination". Naharnet. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
34. "Republica Libaneză" (in Romanian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 10 August 2020.

External links

• 1983 Israel-Lebanon agreement
• Embassy of Lebanon in Washington DC
• Amb. Farid Abboud profile The Washington Diplomat serves the diplomatic community with columns focusing on international news and events.
• EU Neighbourhood Info Centre: Country profile of Jordan

Representations of foreign nations in Lebanon

• Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon
• United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
• Farid Abboud: Lebanese Ambassador to Tunisia