LEBANON
| Independent republic in the Middle East bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel and Syria. | |
| CAPITAL(S) | Beirut. |
| PRINCIPAL PORTS | Beirut, Saida, Tripoli, Tyre. |
| POPULATION | 3,627,774 (July 2001 estimate). |
| LANGUAGE(S) | Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian widely understood. |
| WEIGHTS AND MEASURES | Metric system. |
| ELECTRICITY SUPPLY | 220v. 50 cycles AC. |
| CURRENCY(-IES) | 1 Lebanese pound (LBP) = 100 piastres. |
| EXCHANGE RATE | 2,072.59 Lebanese pound = £1 sterling; 1 Euro = 1,277.18 Lebanese pound (fluctuating rates). |
| TIME | 2 hours ahead of GMT (1 hour ahead of BST). |
DIALLING CODE |
00 961. |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS | 1, 6, 7 Jan; 9 Feb; 1, 6 May; 15 Aug; 1, 22 Nov; 25 Dec; in addition, the following which have variable dates: Islamic New Year; Ashoora; Prophet's Birthday; Laitat al Miraj; Eid Al Fitr; Eid Al Adha. The official holidays for Christians are Good Friday; Easter; Easter Monday. |
| EMBASSY(IES) | 21 Kensington Palace Gardens,
London W8 4QM. Tel: 020 7229 7265/6, fax: 020 7243 1699, e-mail: emb.leb@btinternet.com. Consular Section: 15 Palace Gardens Mews, London W8 4RA. Office hours: Mon-Fri: 0900-1500. Legalisation waiting period: 48 hours. |
| BRITISH EMBASSY | Autostrade Jal El Dib, Coolrite Building, PO Box 60180, Jal El Dib, Beirut. Tel: 00 961 4 715900/01-03, fax: 00 961 4 715904, e-mail: britishemb@britishembassy.org.lb - britem@cyberia.net.lb. |
| CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | Chamber of Commerce et d'Industrie, Chamber of Commerce Building, Rue Arts et Métiers, PO Box 11/1801, Beirut. Tel: 00 961 1 353 391, fax: 00 961 1 865 802. |