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. Lebanon's foreign policy is 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.

Multilateral relations

European Union

Lebanon concluded negotiations on an association agreement with the European Union in late 2001, and both sides initialed the accord in January 2002. Lebanon also has bilateral trade agreements with several Arab states and is in the process of accession to the World Trade Organization.

Arab world

Lebanon traditionally enjoys warm relations with other pro-Western Arab states. At various times, however, it has seen tension with Egypt, Syria, Iraq, the Palestinians, and Libya. In March 2002, in honor of the expulsion 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 the Islamic Conference. Hezbollah maintains a close relationship with Iran, largely centered on Shi'a Muslim links and animosity towards Israel.

Bilateral relations

*Armenia
*Australia
*Brazil
*France
*Iraq
*Israel
*Pakistan
*Palestinian Authority
*Syria
*United States

Pakistan

Lebanon and Pakistan have good relations. Mainly because Pakistan to a certain point, does not recognize Israel as a legitimate country. Trade between the two countries has more or less favored Pakistan as Lebanon is not in an able state. Due to the popularity of Arabic in Pakistan, Lebanese music and cuisine are widespread.

Israel

Israeli troops in southern Lebanon between June 1982 and May 2000; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976 at Lebanese government request. Syrian troops left in April 2005. Lebanon claims Israeli controlled Shebaa Farms in southern Syria. the relation between Israel and Lebanon is probably the worst ever between two neighboring countries.according to most Lebanese officials, Lebanon will be the last Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel as the two states are officially in a state of war. the already strained relations between the two countries have deteriorated to an abysmal point in the 2006 war, when Israel killed 1500 Lebanese civilians with open support from the USA, a move which many believe to have strained the US-Lebanese relations.also Lebanon effectively denies entry to travelers with Israeli stamps on their passports a moves which harms both states as those whishing to visit both Lebanon and Israel cannot do so and must ultimitely choose one destination.

Israel and Hezbollah went to war in 2006.

Iraq

Despite similarities in language and religion, 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 (which the Pro-American Iraqi Government designates as terrorist,) and ongoing clashes in Baghdad between the Sunnis and Shias. Despite this tension, the two nations have embassies in each other's cities.

yria

inconsequential producer of hashish; some heroin processing mostly in the Bekaa valley; a Lebanese/Syrian eradication campaign started in the early 1990s has practically eliminated the opium and cannabis crops. A 2002/2003 campaign has eliminated nearly all hashish production

United States

The critical relationship with the U.S. is headed by Ambassador Farid Abboud [ [http://ambassadorabboud.blogspot.comFarid Abboud] ] . Ambassador Abboud was the U.S. [ [http://www.washingtonlife.com/directories/photos/?letter=F&name=Farid-Abboud Farid Abboud in Washington] ]

The Lebanese Government was instrumental in the thwarting of a terrorist plot on the US. Al- Queda terrorist had planned to attack the transit tunnels under the Hudson River in New York. The FBI was aided in arresting and obtaining the confession from Assem Hammoud on April 27, 2006.

ee also

*Lebanese diplomatic missions
*List of diplomatic missions in Lebanon

References and footnotes

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

External links

* [http://www.mideastweb.org/lebanonpeace.htm 1983 Israel-Lebanon agreement]
* [http://www.lebanonembassyus.org Embassy of Lebanon in Washington DC]
* [http://www.washdiplomat.com/ambprof/lebanon.html Amb. Farid Abboud profile] The Washington Diplomat serves the diplomatic community with columns focusing on international news and events. Representations of foreign nations in Lebanon
* [http://www.dellbn.ec.europa.eu/en/index.htm Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon]
* [http://lebanon.usembassy.gov United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon]
* [http://www.faridabboud.com Farid Abboud: Lebanese Ambassador to Tunisia]