Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6320
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. FELTMAN embassy: Awkar, Lebanon; (Akwar facing the Municipality) mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136
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
Economy Lebanon
Economy - overview:
The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic
infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended
Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In
the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical
and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from
domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national
debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government began an austerity program,
reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection,
and privatizing state enterprises. In November 2002, the government
met with international donors at the Paris II conference to seek
bilateral assistance in restructuring its massive domestic debt at
lower interest rates. Substantial receipts from donor nations
stabilized government finances in 2003, but did little to reduce the
debt, which stands at nearly 170% of GDP. In 2004 the HARIRI
government issued Eurobonds in an effort to manage maturing debt.
The downturn in economic activity that followed the assassination of
Rafiq al-HARIRI has eased, but has yet to be reversed. Tourism
remains below the level of 2004. The new Prime Minister, Fuad
SINIORA, has pledged to push ahead with economic reform, including
privatization and more efficient government. The Core Group of
nations has announced plans to hold a Donor's Conference in early
2006 to assist the government of Lebanon in restructuring its debt
and increasing foreign investment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$22.78 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$20.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.1% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,000 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 21%
services: 67% (2000)