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. As'ad AbuKhalil argues that foreign intervention has been a mainstay of Lebanon's domestic politics throughout its history as a nation-state, with British, French and American influence predominating from the declaration of independence in 1943 until the 1956 Suez Crisis and 1958 Lebanon crisis. From then until the Lebanese Civil War, the country became an arena for struggle between players in the Cold War, including Egypt, the United States and the Soviet Union. During the Civil War regional powers in the Middle East strove for influence, including Syria, Saudi Arabia and Israel, with Syria gaining the upper hand at the tail end of the war. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria, however beginning with the formation of Hezbollah in 1982, Iran had gradually grown to heavily influence Lebanon.

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, and security. After Syria's military withdrawal in 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy charted a more independent course.

Economy

On 30 December 2025, Egypt and Lebanon signed a deal under which Lebanon will purchase natural gas from Egypt. The agreement is expected to help Lebanon meet its growing electricity needs. Nawaf Salam was quoted as saying that the agreement aims “to meet Lebanon’s needs for natural gas allocated for electricity generation.”

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Lebanon maintains diplomatic relations with:

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|||See Argentina–Lebanon relations

Argentina has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Buenos Aires.
See also Lebanese Argentines.

|- valign="top"

|||13 November 1945||See Brazil–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 November 1945

Brazil has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
See also Lebanese Brazilians.

|- valign="top"

|||26 August 1954|| See Canada–Lebanon relations

Canada established diplomatic relations with Lebanon in 1954, when Canada deployed "Envoy Extraordinaire" to Beirut. In 1958, Canada sent its first Ambassador. The Embassy was closed in 1985 and reopened in January 1995. Lebanon opened a consulate in Canada in 1946. A Consulate-General replaced the Consulate in 1949, and an embassy was opened in Ottawa in 1958.

Canada has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.
See also Lebanese Canadians

|- valign="top"

|||28 June 1945||See Chile–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 1945.

Chile has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Santiago.
See Lebanese Chileans

|- valign="top"

|||12 June 1945||See Lebanon–Mexico relations

Mexico was among the first nations to recognize Lebanon's independence in 1943.
Lebanon has an embassy in Mexico City.
Mexico has an embassy in Beirut.
The Centro Libanés and "Club Deportivo Libanés" in Mexico City are important symbols representing the historically cultural and social ties between both countries.
See also Lebanese Mexicans.

|- valign="top"

|||16 November 1944||See Lebanon–United States relations

The United States' interaction with Lebanon extends back to events such as the 1958 Lebanon crisis, which it sent in troops to fortify the government's position. Lebanon's southern neighbor, Israel, has also sent troops on several occasions, and attacked into Lebanon in response to Hezbollah kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. A possible source of friction between the U.S. and Lebanon is that most of Israel's weaponry is US-made, arguing possible US complicity in Israel's attacks.

Lebanon has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City.
United States has an embassy in Beirut.
See also Lebanese Americans

|- valign="top"

|||25 October 1945||See Lebanon–Uruguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 October 1945

Uruguay recognized Lebanon's independence on November 22, 1943.
Lebanon has an embassy in Montevideo.
Uruguay has an embassy in Beirut.
See also Lebanese Uruguayans

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

! style="width:50%;"| Notes

|- valign="top"

|||4 March 1992

|See Armenia–Lebanon relations

The Embassy of Armenia to Lebanon was opened in June 1994. The Embassy of Lebanon was opened in Yerevan in September 1997.

Lebanon is host to the eighth largest Armenian population in the world. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Armenia announced that it would send humanitarian aid to Lebanon. According to the Armenian government, an unspecified amount of medicines, tents and fire-fighting equipment was allocated to Lebanese authorities on July 27, 2006. On May 11, 2000, the Lebanese parliament voted to recognize the Armenian genocide. Lebanon is the first Arab country and one of the few countries of the world to have done so.

Armenia has embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Yerevan.

|- valign="top"

|||18 September 1992||See Azerbaijan–Lebanon relations

Azerbaijan has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon is accredited to Azerbaijan through its embassy in Tehran, Iran.

|28 March 1973

|See Bangladesh–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1973

Bangladesh has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon is accredited to Bangladesh through its embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

|- valign="top"

|||9 November 1971

|See China–Lebanon relations

China and Lebanon established diplomatic relations on November 1, 1954 and the embassy in Taipei opened in 1957. Lebanon shifted recognition from the Taipei-based Republic to the People's Republic on 9 November 1971.

China has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Beijing.

In June 2020, Lebanon was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.

China opened the first Confucius Institute in the Middle East in Lebanon in 2006.

|- valign="top"

||| 15 September 1948||See India-Lebanon relations

India has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in New Delhi.

|- valign="top"

||| ||See Indonesia–Lebanon relations

Indonesia has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Jakarta.

|- valign="top"

|||21 September 1944||See Iran–Lebanon relations and Iranian influence in Lebanon

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1944.

Iran has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Tehran.

|- valign="top"

|||24 February 1944||See Iraq–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relatiobns on 24 February 1944 when first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Iraq to Lebanon Mr. Tahsin Kadri presented his credentials as first foreign diplomatic representatives, who presented his letters of credentials to President Lebanon Mr.Bechara Khoury.

Lebanon and Iraq share the same language 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 and ongoing clashes in Iraq between the Sunnis and Shias.

Iraq has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Baghdad.

|- valign="top"

||| ||See Israel–Lebanon relations

|- valign="top"

|||November 1954||In 1954 Legation of Japan opened in Lebanon, in 1957 Legation of Lebanon opened in Tokyo. In 1959 both Legations was upgrades to Embassies

Japan has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Tokyo.

|- valign="top"

|||1 October 1946||See Jordan–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1946 when has been accredited Minister of Transjordan to Lebanon Mr. Mohamed Ali Ajlouni.

Jordan has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Amman.

|- valign="top"

|||16 July 1963||See Lebanon–Malaysia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 July 1963

Lebanon has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

|||15 September 1948 ||See Lebanon–Pakistan relations

Pakistan does not recognize Israel, which has hostile relations with Lebanon, as a legitimate country.
Lebanon has an embassy in Islamabad.
Pakistan has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

|||9 April 1944||See Lebanon–Saudi Arabia relations

Lebanon has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

|||12 February 1981||See Lebanon–South Korea relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on 12 February 1981.

Lebanones embassy in Seoul.
Korean embassy in Beirut.

The two countries have good relations.

|- valign="top"

|||15 October 2008||See Lebanon–Syria relations

The relationship between these two neighboring countries in Western Asia is complex: Syria has had troops stationed in Lebanon and has exerted political influence in the nation for many years. However, Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.

Lebanon has an embassy in Damascus.
Syria has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

|||8 March 1946||See Lebanon–Turkey relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1946.

Lebanon has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
Turkey has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

|||8 January 1972||See Lebanon–United Arab Emirates relations

Lebanon has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.
United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Beirut.

Europe

Lebanon concluded negotiations on an association agreement with the European Union in late 2001, and both sides initialed the accord in January 2002, the accord becoming known as the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement. The EU-Lebanon Action Plan from January 19, 2007, gave a new impetus to bilateral relations in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy.

Lebanon is one of the main Mediterranean beneficiaries of community assistance and the EU through its various instruments is Lebanon's leading donor. Starting from 2007 financial support is channeled through the European Neighborhood Policy Instrument. A Lebanon Country Strategy Paper 2007–2013 and a National Indicative Program 2007–2010 have been adopted by the EU. The assistance provided was refocused after the Second Lebanon War to engage in real help for the government and the society in reconstruction and reform of the country.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

! style="width:50%;"| Notes

|- valign="top"

|||19 September 1966

Since May 1967, Bulgaria has had an embassy in Beirut.
Since July 1983, Lebanon has had an embassy in Sofia.
Denmark has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

|- valign="top"

|||25 November 1944||See France–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1944 when has been appointed Mr. Ahmad Daouk as Minister Plenipotentiary of Lebanon to France. And 25 December 1944 has been opened Lebanese Legation (Embassy) in Paris.

In 2007, French President Nicolas Sarkozy ordered ties with Syria to be suspended until proof Damascus was not interfering in the Lebanese political crisis was established. A week after Sarkozy's statement in Cairo, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Muallem announced Syria was ceasing their ties with France. "Syria has decided to cease cooperation with France on the Lebanese crisis" said Mouallem. In July 2008, France and Syria decided to open embassies in each other's countries. In April 2009, French and Lebanese officials approved the framework of a security agreement that besides improving bilateral relations include drugs and arms trafficking, illegal immigration and cyber-crime.

France has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon as an embassy in Paris and a consulate-general in Marseille.

|- valign="top"

|||20 May 1953||See Germany–Lebanon relations

Germany has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Berlin.

|- valign="top"

|||17 June 1947||See Greece–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1947, when first Minister of Greece to Lebanon with residence in Cairo M. Georges Triantaphyllidis presented his credentials

The relation between both people dates back to early antiquity, with the early trading activities between the ancient Greeks and the Phoenicians. In modern times, Greek-Lebanese bilateral relations are very good at all levels. Greece has an embassy in Beirut and Lebanon has an embassy in Athens. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Francophonie.

Greece has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Athens.

|- valign="top"

|||17 March 1947||See Holy See–Lebanon relations

The Holy See has played a major role in the peace negotiations of Lebanon. It has sought to unify Christian factions that were separated after the Lebanese civil war. At the same time, it sought to reduce Christian-Muslim tensions and to preserve Christian communities that have been declining in many parts of Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Holy See has a nunciature in Harissa.
Lebanon has an embassy in Rome accredited to the Holy See.

|- valign="top"

|||20 November 1946||See Italy–Lebanon relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 November 1946 when has been accredited first Charge d'Affaires of Italy to Lebanon Mr. Adolfo Alessandrini.

Lebanon opened a legation in 1946, which was transformed into an embassy in 1955.

Both countries signed a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Navigation in 1949. Rome supported the reconstruction of Lebanon after the Taef Agreement. Also, Italian companies, from almost all sectors, operate in Lebanon.

Italy has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Rome.

|- valign="top"

|||20 October 1956||1 August 1944 Lebanon established diplomatic relations with Polish Government in exile in London. On October 20, 1956, the government of Lebanon accepted the initiative of the government of the Polish People's Republic regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations at the level of the deputies, which meant simultaneous withdrawal of the recognition of the Polish government in exile.

Lebanon has an embassy in Warsaw.
Poland has an embassy in Beirut.

|- valign="top"

||| 6 January 1965|| See Lebanon–Romania relations

Lebanon has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Constanța.
Romania has an embassy in Beirut an honorary consulate in Tripoli.
Embassy of Lebanon was opened in Kyiv until February 2022.

|- valign="top"

| || 9 February 1942 || See Lebanon–United Kingdom relations

thumb|right|[[Prime Minister of Lebanon|Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street, October 2024.]]

The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 9 February 1942.

The UK is accredited to Lebanon through its embassy in Beirut.

Both countries share common membership of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Association Agreement, and a Development Partnership.

Oceania

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

! style="width:50%;"| Notes

|- valign="top"

|||5 February 1967||20 February 1967 opened Australian Embassy in Beirut. It was closed in 1984 because of the security situation in Beirut. The Embassy was formally re-opened on 18 July 1995

74,000 Lebanese-born people live in Australia, mainly in Sydney, and there are more people of Lebanese descent including Marie Bashir, Steve Bracks and Hazem El Masri.
Australia has a modest trade relationship with Lebanon and has also given foreign aid in the aftermath of the Lebanese civil war of 1975–1990.
Australia has an embassy in Beirut.
Lebanon has an embassy in Canberra and consulates-general in Melbourne and Sydney.
See also Lebanese Australians.

References and footnotes

External links

1983 Israel-Lebanon agreement
Embassy of Lebanon in Washington DC
Amb. Farid Abboud profile The Washington Diplomat serves the diplomatic community with columns focusing on international news and events.
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre: Country profile of Jordan

Representations of foreign nations in Lebanon

Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon
United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
Farid Abboud: Lebanese Ambassador to Tunisia

Economy

Diplomatic relations

Asia

Europe

Oceania

See also

References and footnotes

External links