ernment:
Prime Minister Rashid SULH (since 13 May 1992)
Political parties and leaders:
political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines;
numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political
figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic
considerations; most parties have well-armed militias, which are still
involved in occasional clashes
Suffrage:
compulsory for all males at age 21; authorized for women at age 21 with
elementary education
Elections:
National Assembly:
elections should be held every four years, but security conditions have
prevented elections since May 1972; in June 1991, the Cabinet appointed 40
new deputies to fill vacancies and balance Christian and Muslim
representation; the legislature's mandate expires in 1994
Communists:
the Lebanese Communist Party was legalized in 1970; members and sympathizers
estimated at 2,000-3,000
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

:Lebanon Government

Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador - no ambassador at present; Mission is headed by Charge; Chancery
at 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6300;
there are Lebanese Consulates General in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles
US:
Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER; Embassy at Antelias, Beirut (mailing address is
P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836); telephone [961] 417774 or
415802, 415803, 402200, 403300
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a
green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band

:Lebanon Government

Note:
Between early 1975 and late 1976 Lebanon was torn by civil war between its
Christians - then aided by Syrian troops - and its Muslims and their
Palestinian allies. The cease-fire established in October 1976 between the
domestic political groups generally held for about six years, despite
occasional fighting. Syrian troops constituted as the Arab Deterrent Force
by the Arab League have remained in Lebanon. Syria's move toward supporting
the Lebanese Muslims, and the Palestinians and Israel's growing support for
L