U.S. Assistance to Lebanon
Since the 2006 war, the U.S. Government has pledged well over $3.5 billion in assistance for relief, recovery, rebuilding, and security. This support reflects not only humanitarian concerns and historical ties, but also the importance the United States attaches to sustainable development and the bolstering of a sovereign, stable, prosperous, and democratic Lebanon. Current funding is used to support the activities of Lebanese non-governmental organizations engaged in rural and municipal development programs nationwide, to improve the capacity of the public sector in providing transparent, quality services, to strengthen the Lebanese security services, and to reduce deep pockets of poverty, especially in areas outside metropolitan Beirut, by strengthening productive sectors and job readiness. The U.S. also supports humanitarian demining programs.
The United States also assists public school graduates to enroll at the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University and Haigazian University. Assistance also has been provided over the years to the American Community School at Beirut and the International College.
In 1993, the U.S. resumed the International Military Education and Training program in Lebanon to help bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces–the country’s only nonsectarian national institution–and reinforce the importance of civilian control of the military. Sales of excess defense articles resumed in 1991 and have allowed the LAF to enhance its transportation and communications capabilities, which were severely degraded during the civil war. Security assistance to both the LAF and the Internal Security Forces, representing over $1.5 billion of the total post-2006 assistance, increased significantly after the 2006 war in order to support the Government of Lebanon as it carries out the requirements of UNSCR 1701 and asserts its sovereignty over the whole of Lebanese territory.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. In 2016, major U.S. exports to Lebanon were mineral fuel and oil, vehicles, machinery, pharmaceutical products, and cereals. The U.S. and Lebanon have signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to help promote an attractive investment climate, expand trade relations, and remove obstacles to trade and investment between the two countries. The U.S. does not have a bilateral investment treaty with Lebanon or an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.
Lebanon’s Membership in International Organizations
Lebanon’s foreign policy reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Lebanon and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon is Dorothy Shea.
Lebanon maintains an Embassy in the United States at 2560 28th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 939-6300.