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While the Lebanese Embassy in Canberra is accredited to Wellington, New Zealand does not, at this point, have a formal accreditation to Beirut.
Trade levels between New Zealand and Lebanon are very modest, with Lebanon ranked 94 th on our list of trading partners. In the year to June 2006, New Zealand exported just over NZ$10.5 million worth of goods to Lebanon, consisting mainly of dairy products, frozen meat and frozen fish (up from $9 million the previous year). In the same period, Lebanese imports to New Zealand were worth around $230,000 and were comprised principally of preserved fruits, nuts and vegetables along with vegetable fats and oils.
Right from the start of the recent conflict in Lebanon New Zealand called for a cessation of hostilities and deplored the loss of innocent lives on both sides. New Zealand has welcomed UNSCR 1701 and the ceasefire it involves, while acknowledging that much remains to be done.
New Zealand has contributed NZD$1.25million to appeals for Lebanon in support of UNICEF’s emergency water and sanitation programmes for southern Lebanon and UNFPA’s (the United Nations Population Fund) emergency health programme.
As part of New Zealand’s on-going commitment to peacekeeping in the region, we have contributed to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) for more than 50 years. There are currently 8 NZ personnel serving with UNTSO, based in Israel, Lebanon and Syria, including the Chief of Operations. A New Zealander, Major General Clive Lilley, finished his appointment as UNTSO Chief of Staff at the end of November.
Official Name - Republic of Lebanon - Land Area - 10,400 sq km - Population - 3.6 million (EIU est 2005) - Capital City - Beirut - Religion - Christian, Muslim - Language - Arabic - Currency - Lebanese Pound - Exchange rate - US$1 = L£1,507.5 (2004)
Political system - Parliamentary Republic -
National government - Prime Minister is appointed by the President, after consultation with parliamentary deputies -
National legislature - 128 member unicameral National Assembly, equally divided between Muslims and Christians -
Last election - August-September 2000 (legislative), November 1998 (presidential) -
Next election due - 2007 (presidential) 2009 (legislative) -
Head of State - President Emile Lahoud -
Head of Government -
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
- Key Ministers - Deputy PM & Defence: Elias Murr;
Foreign Affairs: Fawzi Salukh;
Finance: Jihad Azour - Main Political parties - Hizbollah (Shia); Amal (Shia); National Liberal Party (Christian), Kataeb Party (Christian); Progressive Socialist Party (mainly Druze); Syria Social Nationalist Party
GDP - US$19.1 billion (2005 EIU estimate) - Real GDP growth - 0.5% (2005 EIU estimate)- Exports - US$1.782 billion (2005 EIU estimate) - Imports - US$8.855 billion (2005 EIU estimate) - Current account balance - -US$4.09 billion (2005 EIU estimate) - Inflation - 2.4% (2005 EIU estimate) - Gross external debt - US$25.9 billion (2005 EIU estimate)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$10.584 million (year to June 2006) - Main Exports - Milk and cream (38.65%); frozen meat (17.51%); cheese (8.09%); fish fillets (6.88%) - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$0.238 million (year to June 2006)- Main Imports - preserved fruits and nuts (18.52%); preserved vegetables (13.7%); vegetable fats and oils (9.29%); lead (6.57%)
A delegation of New Zealand ICT sector business leaders visited Lebanon in May 2004 (as part of a wider regional visit), led by the then-Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon Paul Swain.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Lebanon [external link].
