Foreign relations of Lebanon
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Lebanon |
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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. Although its current government's policy can be considered Western-leaning if not pro-Western, the political opposition led by Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement advocate a foreign policy more in line with that of Iran and Syria.
Bilateral relations
Africa
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Approximately 100,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Côte d'Ivoire.
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Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Senegal.
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Approximately 30,000 people of Lebanese origin reside in Sierra Leone.
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Americas
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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 | 1945 | See Argentina–Lebanon relations
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 | November 1945 | See Brazil–Lebanon relations
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 | 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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 | 12 June 1945 | See Lebanon–Mexico relations
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 | 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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 | 25 October 1945 | See Lebanon–Uruguay relations
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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 |
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 | 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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 | See India-Lebanon relations
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 | See Iran–Lebanon relations
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 | 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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 | No official relations | See Israel–Lebanon relations
Lebanon claims Israeli controlled Shebaa Farms in southern Syria. |
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 | See Lebanon–Malaysia relations
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 | See Lebanon–Pakistan relations | |
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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.[18] In 2017, Saudi Arabia stated that Lebanon had declared war on them, due to the alleged aggression of Hezbollah.[19][20][21] | |
 | 12 February 1981 |
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 | 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.[22] However, Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.[23]
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 | See Lebanon–Turkey relations | |
 | 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 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.[24]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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 | 1966-09-19 |
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 | 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.[29] A week after Sarkozy's statement in Cairo, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Muallem announced Syria was ceasing their ties with France.[30] "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.[31] 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.[32] | |
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 | 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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 | 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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 | 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.
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Oceania
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See also
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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Beirut". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ↑ Messages to Lebanon Pakistan MOFA
- ↑ Saudi plan for anti-Hezbollah force revealed, AFP and Ynet, 12 August 2010
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia says Lebanon 'declaring war' against it". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia says Lebanon declares war, deepening crisis". Reuters. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia: Lebanon declared war on us". Israel National News. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ↑ "BBC NEWS - Middle East - Q&: Syria and Lebanon". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ↑ Ten steps to Syria-Lebanon ties BBC News
- ↑ Republic of Lebanon Archived 2008-12-02 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 21 February 2015.
- ↑ "France to cut Syria ties over Lebanon presidential crisis". Haaretz. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ "France and Syria divorce over Lebanon crises". Ya Libnan. LB. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ "International News". ABC news. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ "Naharnet — Lebanon's leading news destination". Naharnet. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ "Ministerul Afacerilor Externe". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ↑ "Ministerul Afacerilor Externe". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
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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