in the US: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD
consulate(s) general: [1] (202) 939-6320 chancery: 2560 28th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Vincent Martin BATTLE (since 11 Sep. 2001) embassy: Awkar, Lebanon
mailing address: P. O. Box 70840, Awkar, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO
AE 09836-0002 telephone: 011-961-4-543-600/542-600 FAX: 011-961-4-544-136

Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double
width), and red with a green and brown 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. Peace enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut,
begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government
facilities. Economic recovery was helped by a financially sound banking
system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family
remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and
international aid provided the main sources of foreign exchange.
Lebanon's economy made impressive gains since the launch in 1993 of
"Horizon 2000," the government's $20 billion reconstruction program. Real
GDP grew 8% in 1994, 7% in 1995, 4% in 1996 and in 1997 but slowed to 2%
in 1998, -1% in 1999, and -0.5% in 2000. Growth recovered slightly in
2001 to 1%. During the 1990s annual inflation fell to almost 0% from more
than 100%. Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial
infrastructure. The government nonetheless faces serious challenges in
the economic arena. It has funded reconstruction by borrowing heavily
- mostly from domestic banks. The re-installed HARIRI government has
failed to rein in the ballooning national debt. Without large-scale
international aid and rapid privatization of state-owned enterprises,
markets may force a currency devaluation and debt default in 2002.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.8 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 1% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,200 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 21% services:
67% (2000)

Population below poverty line: 28% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate