Foreign relations of Lebanon
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 Lebanon portal
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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 |
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 Algeria |
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 Côte d'Ivoire |
Approximately 100,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Côte d'Ivoire.
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 Democratic Republic of Congo |
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 Egypt |
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 Ethiopia |
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 Ghana |
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 Guinea |
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 Morocco |
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 Nigeria |
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 Senegal |
Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Senegal.
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 Sierra Leone |
Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Sierra Leone.
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 South Africa |
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 Sudan |
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 Tunisia |
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Americas[]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
1945 | See Argentina–Lebanon relations
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 Brazil |
November 1945 | See Brazil–Lebanon relations
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 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.
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 Chile |
1945 | See Chile–Lebanon relations
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 Colombia |
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 Cuba |
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 El Salvador |
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 Mexico |
June 12, 1945 | See Lebanon–Mexico relations
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 Panama |
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 Paraguay |
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 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.
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 Uruguay |
October 25, 1945 | See Lebanon–Uruguay relations
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 Venezuela |
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Asia[]
| 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.
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 Azerbaijan |
18 September 1992 | See Azerbaijan–Lebanon relations
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 Bahrain |
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 China |
In June 2020, Lebanon was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[15] China opened the first Confucius Institute in the Middle East in Lebanon in 2006.[16] | |
 India |
See India-Lebanon relations
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 Indonesia |
1950 | See Indonesia–Lebanon relations
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 Iran |
See Iran–Lebanon relations | |
 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.
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 Israel |
See Israel–Lebanon relations | |
 Japan |
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 Jordan |
See Jordan–Lebanon relations
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 Kazakhstan |
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 Kuwait |
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 Malaysia |
See Lebanon–Malaysia relations | |
 Pakistan |
See Lebanon–Pakistan relations | |
 Palestine |
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 Qatar |
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 Saudi Arabia |
See Lebanon–Saudi Arabia relations | |
 South Korea |
February 12, 1981 | |
 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.[20] However, Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.[21] | |
 Turkey |
See Lebanon–Turkey relations | |
 United Arab Emirates |
See Lebanon–United Arab Emirates relations |
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 January 19, 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 to engage in real help for the government and the society in reconstruction and reform of the country.[22]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Bulgaria |
1966-09-19 |
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 Denmark |
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 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.[27] A week after Sarkozy's statement in Cairo, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Muallem announced Syria was ceasing their ties with France.[28] "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.[29] 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.[30]
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 Germany |
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 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.
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 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.
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 Ireland |
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 Italy |
See Italy–Lebanon relations
Lebanon opened a legation in 1946, which was transformed into an embassy in 1955.[citation needed] Both countries signed a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Navigation in 1949.[citation needed] Rome supported the reconstruction of Lebanon after the Taef Agreement.[citation needed] Also, Italian companies, from almost all sectors, operate in Lebanon.[citation needed]
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 Netherlands |
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 Poland |
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 Romania |
January 6, 1965 | See Lebanon–Romania relations
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 Russia |
See Lebanon–Russia relations
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 Spain |
See Lebanon–Spain relations
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 Sweden
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2016 |
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 United Kingdom |
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Oceania[]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Australia |
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 New Zealand |
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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.
- ^ Embassy of Argentina in Lebanon
- ^ Embassy of Lebanon in Argentina
- ^ Embassy of Brazil in Lebanon
- ^ Embassy of Lebanon in Brazil
- ^ "Embassy of Canada in Lebanon". Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ Embassy of Lebanon in Canada
- ^ Embassy of Lebanon in Mexico City (in Arabic and Spanish)
- ^ Embassy of Mexico in Beirut (in Spanish)
- ^ "Embassy of Lebanon in the United States". Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ Embassy of the United States in Lebanon
- ^ Embassy of Uruguay in Lebanon
- ^ Armenia To Provide Relief To Lebanon, Armenialiberty.org
- ^ Armenia Sent Humanitarian Assistance To Lebanon, PanArmenian.Net
- ^ International Affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia Foreign Ministry
- ^ Lawler, Dave (July 2, 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Yellinek, Roie; Mann, Yossi; Lebel, Udi (November 1, 2020). "Chinese Soft-Power in the Arab world – China's Confucius Institutes as a central tool of influence". Comparative Strategy. 39 (6): 517–534. doi:10.1080/01495933.2020.1826843. ISSN 0149-5933.
- ^ "Lebanese Embassies, Missions, Consulates, Honorary Consulates abroad" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon. p. 13. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Beirut". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ Messages to Lebanon Pakistan MOFA
- ^ "BBC NEWS – Middle East – Q&: Syria and Lebanon". Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- ^ Ten steps to Syria-Lebanon ties BBC News
- ^ Republic of Lebanon Archived December 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. European Commission: External Relations
- ^ Bulgarian embassy in Beirut
- ^ Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Lebanese embassy in Sofia
- ^ Libanon Danske kontaktoplysninger
- ^ "Lebanon Embassy in Stockholm". Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- ^ "France to cut Syria ties over Lebanon presidential crisis". Haaretz. December 30, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ "France and Syria divorce over Lebanon crises". Ya Libnan. LB. January 2, 2008. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ "International News". ABC news. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ "Naharnet — Lebanon's leading news destination". Naharnet. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Republica Libaneză" (in Romanian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved August 10, 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
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- Foreign relations of Lebanon