| Area Total | 10,400 sq km |
| Climate | Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows |
| Natural Resources | limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land |
| Imports | China 10.2%, Italy 8.9%, Greece 7%, Germany 6.6%, US 6.3%, Turkey 4.5%, Egypt 4.2% (2017) – petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals |
| Government | parliamentary republic |
| Capital | Beirut |
| Population | 6,100,075 (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% |
| Language | Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian |
| Exports | China 13%, UAE 9.9%, South Africa 7.5%, Saudi Arabia 6.5%, Syria 6.5%, Iraq 5.8%, Turkey 4.6% (2017) – jewelry, base metals, chemicals, consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper |
News about Lebanon
- Middle East crisis live: Israel presses on with Jenin raid as Jordanian minister warns West Bank could ‘explode’by Geneva Abdul (now) and Amy Sedghi (earlier) on January 22, 2025
Further shooting and explosions reported after 10 killed yesterday as Ayman Safadi tells Davos meeting of fears for territoryAfter months of negotiations, a ceasefire has paused the devastating war in Gaza, but it risks collapsing as a result of deep distrust between Israel and Hamas and the multi-phased nature of the deal, reports Agence France-Presse […]
- Israeli Enemy Invades Jenin, Occupied West Bankon January 21, 2025
Large numbers of Israeli occupation forces invaded on Tuesday Jenin City in occupied West Bank in order to chase the Palestinian resistance fighters. According to the latest toll, the Zionist aggression on Jenin has so far claimed 9 martyrs and over 40 injuries. Several hospitals in the city received the cases. Israeli media outlets confirmed ...
- Israeli Occupation Forces Carry More Ceasefire Violation in South Lebanonon January 20, 2025
In a conspicuous reflection of the Zionist nature of treachery, the Israeli occupation forces continued on Monday violating the ceasefire stipulations in South Lebanon. Al-Manar camera documented the enemy’s vehicular and infantry movements in Wadi Slouki area, woth preparations to execute explosions there. According to Al-Manar reporter, the Israeli […]
- Hezbollah Expresses Pride in Gaza’s Victory, Reiterates Support for Palestinian Resistance till Demise of ‘Israel’on January 20, 2025
Hezbollah congratulated, in a statement issued on Monday, the great Palestinian people as well as their valiant resistance, all the resistance forces that supported Gaza, the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world on this great victory that came as a culmination of the legendary and historic steadfastness, over more than ...
- Relief trucks start to deliver aid inside Gaza – as it happenedby Kate Lamb (now); Maya Yang, Yohannes Lowe; Tom Bryant and Adam Fulton (earlier) on January 20, 2025
This blog has closed. Follow the latest on our new liveblog hereIsraeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza as the scheduled time of 8.30am (0630 GMT) for the ceasefire to take effect passed, Reuters reports.Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a brief televised address on Sunday that the political echelon had directed the military to […]
- Netanyahu says ‘if we must return to fighting, we will do that’ – as it happenedby Adam Fulton (now); Maya Yang, Amy Sedghi and Tom Ambrose (earlier) on January 19, 2025
Prime minister says US has promised Israel will have the weaponry it needs to return to military campaign if necessary. This blog is now closedIn an update on the previous post, the Israeli military said sirens sounded in central Israel on Saturday as it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.Explosions were heard over Jerusalem on Saturday morning, […]
- Aoun to Guterres: Lebanon Insists on Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanonon January 18, 2025
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during their meeting this morning at Baabda Palace that “Lebanon is committed to the need for Israeli forces’ withdrawal from its occupied territories in the south within the deadline set by the agreement reached on November 27.” President Aoun underlined […]
- Sheikh Qassem Hails Gaza Legendry Steadfastness, Calls on ‘Israel’ Not to Test Hezbollah’s Patienceon January 18, 2025
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem congratulated Gaza, its people and resistance over the ceasefire deal with the Zionist entity, hailing them over their epic steadfastness in face of the Israeli genocide. In a televised speech addressing an international conference in support of Gaza entitled: “Gaza Icon of Resistance,” Sheikh Qassem […]
- Israel ratifies ceasefire deal despite opposition from some hardliners – as it happenedby Adam Fulton (now); Nadeem Badshah, Léonie Chao-Fong, Maya Yang, Tom Ambrose, Amy Sedghi, Geneva Abdul and Helen Livingstone (earlier) on January 18, 2025
This blog is now closed.Full report: Israeli cabinet ratifies ceasefire deal with HamasAid increase in ceasefire deal ‘is admission Israel could have done more’, experts sayDuring his final press conference earlier on Thursday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken was heckled by two journalists who criticised him for his support for the war in Gaza.That […]
- President Aoun Welcomes French Counterpart, Underlines Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanonon January 17, 2025
The Lebanese President Joseph Aoun hosted, on Friday at Baabda Palace, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron who had arrived earlier in Beirut. “I hope you will bear witness to the entire world that the Lebanese people’s trust in their country and state has been restored, and that the world’s confidence in Lebanon must fully return because ...
- Speaker Berri Welcomes PM-designate Salam: Meeting Was Promisingon January 17, 2025
House Speaker, Nabih Berri welcomed, on Friday at the Second Presidency in Ain al-Tineh, Prime Minister-designate, Nawaf Salam to discuss the latest developments related the Lebanese cabinet formation. After the meeting, Salam stated, “Speaker Berri and I are on the same page, following the constitution. I will remain in contact with him until the […]
- Starbucks Shuts Down Second Beirut Branch Amid Boycott Pressure, Market Declineon January 16, 2025
Starbucks Corporation, the renowned American multinational coffeehouse chain, has closed its branch in Beirut’s Raouche area, following the earlier shutdown of its location at ABC Verdun Mall. These closures, which leave both key areas without a Starbucks presence, highlight a noticeable decline in the company’s footprint in the Lebanese market. A […]
- Israeli Ceasefire Violations Escalate Along Lebanon Border: Military Incursions, Explosions, Environmental Damageon January 16, 2025
In an alarming escalation of violations, Israeli occupation forces have conducted a series of military incursions along the Lebanon border. These include tank deployments, explosions in border villages such as Aita Al-Shaab, Maroun Al-Ras, and Al-Taybeh, as well as extensive drone activity and deforestation. The developments come amid a prolonged delay in […]
- Islamist groups in Middle East will emerge from Gaza war weakenedby Jason Burke International security correspondent on January 16, 2025
Hamas, Hezbollah and other militia are enfeebled – but Palestine is likely to stay at forefront of global politicsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe ceasefire due to come into force on Sunday, barring a major last-minute problem, will cement massive and rapid changes across the Middle East and may seal a significant defeat for the Islamist militant […]
- President Aoun: Ongoing Israeli Violations in South Lebanon Underline Enemy Evades Commitmentson January 16, 2025
President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, on Thursday welcomed a fresh ceasefire agreement in Gaza, hoping that the deal will “end the tragic reality” the battered Strip, and appreciating the international efforts in that respect. President Aoun reiterated the right of the Palestinians to establish their sovereign state under the international legitimacy […]
- A ceasefire deal is here. For Gaza, the Middle East and the world, the future remains unknownby Patrick Wintour, diplomatic editor on January 16, 2025
The sacrifice has been so great, the misery so complete, that few can claim with certainty that this was all worthwhileThere may be no winners in war, but history suggests combatants are often eager to convince the world otherwise.The ending of the 15-month conflict in Gaza may prove an exception. The sacrifice has been so great, the misery so complete, and […]
- A history-making moment at the Australian Open – podcastby Presented and produced by Nour Haydar ; additional production by Miles Herbert ; sound design and mixing by Camilla Hannan; the executive producer is Hannah Parkes on January 14, 2025
When 26-year-old Hady Habib stepped out on to court 13 at Melbourne Park on Sunday, he was already making history even before defeating his opponent. Later today, he will face the world No 14, Ugo Humbert, in the second round of the Australian Open.Nour Haydar speaks to the trailblazing tennis player about how his success has been a source of celebration […]
- ‘We are all obsessed with him now’: Hady Habib thrills Lebanese diaspora with Australian Open successby Mostafa Rachwani Community affairs reporter on January 14, 2025
First Lebanese tennis player to reach a grand slam unites community in wild celebration and renewed hopeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJames Habib could barely believe what he was seeing.At court 13 at Melbourne Park, he watched as his cousin, Hady Habib, became the first ever Lebanese player in the Open Era to reach the main […]
- Civilian casualties of explosive weapons at highest level in more than a decadeby Dan Sabbagh on January 14, 2025
Study says 61,353 non-combatants were killed or wounded in 2024, an increase of 67% on the previous yearCivilian casualties from bombing or other explosive violence have reached their highest level globally in more than a decade, an annual study has concluded, reflecting the intense bombing of Gaza and Lebanon and the ongoing war in Ukraine.Action on Armed […]
- Lebanon elects Joseph Aoun as president after two-year vacancyby William Christou in Beirut on January 9, 2025
Army commander’s election increases confidence that ceasefire with Israel will holdLebanon’s parliament has elected the army commander Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, ending a more than two-year vacancy and increasing confidence that a ceasefire with Israel will hold.Aoun received 99 out of 128 votes in the 13th attempt by a deeply divided […]
- The Guardian view on Gaza’s suffering: a deepening disaster should not be treated as inevitable | Editorialby Editorial on January 7, 2025
With infants dying of exposure and desperation growing, a ceasefire and hostage release deal have never been more necessaryThe new year has commenced as bleakly as the last one concluded in Gaza. As December came to an end, the UN announced that the healthcare system was on the brink of outright collapse due to Israel’s attacks. Within days of the new […]
- Middle East crisis: Israeli forces ‘fired on World Food Programme convoy in Gaza’ – as it happenedby Yohannes Lowe on January 6, 2025
Statement from UN agency ‘strongly condemns horrifying incident’ on Sunday which it says risked lives of staff‘This is basically a civil war’: West Bank in fear after shooting of journalistSocial order in Gaza will collapse if Israel ends cooperation with UN aid agency, official saysTurkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, has told a news […]
- Demonstrators arrested outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home – as it happenedby Daniel Lavelle (now) and Hamish Mackay (earlier) on December 28, 2024
This blog is now closed, you can read more of our Middle East coverage hereFive Israeli demonstrators protesting for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been arrested outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.Twenty protestors gathered outside the home in the early morning, shouting through loudspeakers at the […]
- Officials claim Israeli military ‘burning’ Kamal Adwan hospital after forced evacuation of patients – as it happenedby Yohannes Lowe (now) and Rachel Hall (earlier) on December 27, 2024
This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our Middle East coverage hereAn estimated 730,000 people living in tents in camps for the displaced in northwest Syria are experiencing dire conditions this winter including from flooding, the UN humanitarian office has said. The UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) said yesterday […]
- Middle East crisis: one child killed every hour in Gaza, UN says – as it happenedby Yohannes Lowe on December 24, 2024
This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our coverage of the Middle East hereIsraeli forces have killed a Palestinian man in a dawn raid on a refugee camp near the city of Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. The Israeli military said the man was killed in a “counter-terrorism” operation that […]
- Middle East crisis: 14 injured after Israel fails to intercept missile from Yemen – as it happenedby Hayden Vernon on December 21, 2024
This live blog is now closed, you can read more coverage of the Middle East hereAn article on the Israeli news site Walla, owned by the Jerusalem Post, revealed Israel has used civilian contractors to demolish buildings and build military infrastructure in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.The story, written by a journalist embedded with the IDF, describes […]
- Middle East crisis: Israel issues fresh Gaza evacuation order despite increasing ceasefire hopes – as it happenedby Maya Yang (now); Yohannes Lowe and Hamish Mackay (earlier) on December 18, 2024
This live blog is now closed. For the latest on the Middle East, you can see our full coverage here. Here are some of the latest images coming through from Gaza:Palestinian medics say an Israeli airstrike has killed at least 10 people in a house in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where army forces have operated since October. Continue reading...
- Revealed: Israel used US weapons in strike that killed journalists in Lebanon – video explainerby William Christou, Bryony Moore, Albert Villa Alsina and Monika Čvorak on December 18, 2024
A Guardian investigation has found that Israel used a US munition to target and kill three journalists and wound three more in an attack in south Lebanon on 25 October that legal experts have called a potential war crime. The Guardian's reporter William Christou explains what he uncovered when he visited the site of the strikeRead more about the […]
- Israel to close embassy in Dublin over ‘anti-Israel policies’ after Ireland’s backing of genocide petition – as it happenedby Tom Ambrose and Tom Bryant on December 15, 2024
This live blog is closedFor years, residents of Ghouta, an embattled opposition-held region on the outskirts of Damascus, grew used to death loudly announcing its presence. When Syrian and Russian jets or helicopter gunships roared overhead, bombs were never far behind. But the night of 7 April 2018 was different.According to an extensive investigation by […]
- Baby reported among seven killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school; Jordan hosts Syria talks – as it happenedby Daniel Lavelle on December 14, 2024
This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our Middle East coverage hereThe head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami says they won’t impede the UN nuclear watchdog’s access and inspection of its sites.“We have not created and will not create any obstacles for the agency’s inspections and access,”says Eslami, as quoted by […]
