Editing Lebanon (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Lebanon|Human rights in Lebanon}}
[[File:Parliament Beirut.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Lebanese parliament|Lebanese Parliament]] building at the [[Nejmeh Square|Place de l'Étoile]]]]
Lebanon is a [[parliamentary democracy]] that includes [[confessionalism (politics)|confessionalism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18281.htm |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2002: Lebanon |author=((Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor)) |publisher=US Department of State |date=31 March 2003 |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225073712/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18281.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[National Pact]], erected in 1943, laid out a governing arrangement intended to harmonize the interests of the country's major religious groups.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Cohen |first=Saul Bernard |title=Geopolitics: the geography of international relations |date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-2349-3 |edition=3rd |location=Lanham Boulder New York London |pages=402 |chapter=Chapter 12: The Middle East Shatterbelt}}</ref> The [[President of Lebanon|President]] has to be a [[Lebanese Maronite Christians|Maronite Christian]], the [[Prime Minister of Lebanon|Prime Minister]] a [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni Muslim]], the [[Legislative Speaker of Lebanon|Speaker of the Parliament]] a [[Shi'a Islam in Lebanon|Shi'a Muslim]], the [[Deputy Prime Minister]] and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament [[Greek Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Eastern Orthodox]].<ref name="confessional">{{cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2006/0330_lebanon_confessionalism.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322103601/http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2006/0330_lebanon_confessionalism.html |archive-date=22 March 2009 |title=Lebanon's Confessionalism: Problems and Prospects |publisher=United States Institute of Peace |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prio.no/files/file46602_zahar_-_power_sharing_in_lebanon.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143921/http://www.prio.no/files/file46602_zahar_-_power_sharing_in_lebanon.doc |archive-date=13 June 2011 |title=Chapter 9 Power sharing in Lebanon: Foreign protectors, domestic peace, and democratic failure |author=Marie-Joëlle Zahar |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> This system is intended to deter sectarian conflict and to represent fairly the demographic distribution of the 18 recognized religious groups in government.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Lijphart, Arend|title=Consociational Democracy |journal=World Politics|volume=21|issue= 2|year=1969|doi=10.2307/2009820|pages=207–225|jstor=2009820|s2cid=251572712 }}</ref><ref>Lijphart, Arend. ''Multiethnic democracy'', in S. Lipset (ed.), "The Encyclopedia of Democracy". London, Routledge, 1995, Volume III, pp. 853–865 {{ISBN|0871878887}}.</ref>

Until 1975, [[Freedom House]] considered Lebanon to be among only two (together with Israel) [[Political freedom|politically free]] countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.<ref name=fh-historic>{{cite web|title=Freedom in the World, Country Ratings by Region, 1972–2013|publisher=Freedom House|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/Country%20Status%20and%20Ratings%20By%20Region%2C%201973-2013_0.xls|access-date=10 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021043232/http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/Country%20Status%20and%20Ratings%20By%20Region%2C%201973-2013_0.xls|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The country lost this status with the outbreak of the Civil War, and has not regained it since. Lebanon was rated "Partly Free" in 2013. Even so, Freedom House still ranks Lebanon as among the most democratic nations in the Arab world.<ref name=fh-historic /> According to the [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Lebanon is 2023 the second most [[Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa|electoral democratic country in the Middle East]].<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Until 2005, [[Palestinians in Lebanon|Palestinians]] were forbidden to work in over 70 jobs because they did not have [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese citizenship]]. After liberalization laws were passed in 2007, the number of banned jobs dropped to around 20.<ref name="amn" /> In 2010, Palestinians were granted the same rights to work as other foreigners in the country.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bakri|first=Nada|title=Lebanon Gives Palestinians New Work Rights|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/world/middleeast/18lebanon.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=17 August 2010|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610090345/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/world/middleeast/18lebanon.html|archive-date=10 June 2017|url-status=live|url-access= subscription}}</ref> Lebanon's national legislature is the [[unicameral]] [[Parliament of Lebanon]]. Its 128 seats are [[Reserved political positions|divided]] equally between Christians and Muslims, proportionately between the 18 different denominations and proportionately between its 26 regions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alarabiya.net/save_pdf.php?cont_id=75167 |title=Eager Lebanese race to polls to cast their ballots |publisher=AlArabbia |access-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117043045/http://www.alarabiya.net/save_pdf.php?cont_id=75167 |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Prior to 1990, the ratio stood at 6:5 in favor of Christians, but the [[Taif Agreement]], which put an end to the 1975–1990 civil war, adjusted the ratio to grant equal representation to followers of the two religions.<ref name="confessional" />[[File:Beirut protest in 2010.jpg|thumb|One of many protests in Beirut]]

The Parliament is elected for a four-year term by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation.<ref name="cia">{{Citation|title=Lebanon|date=2 March 2023|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/|work=The World Factbook|access-date=14 March 2023|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|language=en|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111113708/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/|url-status=live}}</ref> The executive branch consists of the President, the [[head of state]], and the Prime Minister, the [[head of government]]. The parliament elects the president for a non-renewable six-year term by a two-thirds majority. The president appoints the Prime Minister,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?cid=9&t=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718200246/http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?cid=9&t=3 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |title=Democratic Governance, Elections, Lebanon |publisher=UNDP |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> following consultations with the parliament. The president and the prime minister form a cabinet, which must also adhere to the sectarian distribution set out by confessionalism.

In an unprecedented move, the Lebanese parliament has extended its own term twice amid protests, the last being on 5 November 2014,<ref>{{cite news|title=Lebanese parliament extends own term till 2017 amid protests|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-parliament-idUSKBN0IP18T20141105|author1=Oliver Holmes|work=Reuters|date=5 November 2014|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706045427/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-parliament-idUSKBN0IP18T20141105|archive-date=6 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> an act which comes in direct contradiction with democracy and article #42 of the Lebanese constitution as no elections have taken place.<ref name="constitution" /> Lebanon was without a President between May 2014 and October 2016.<ref name="Aoun">{{cite journal|title=Results of 2nd round of Lebanon presidential election: Michel Aoun – 83 (winner); blank votes – 36; others/cancelled – 8|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Oct-31/378975-michel-aoun-secures-vote-majority-to-win-lebanon-presidency.ashx|journal=The Daily Star|date=31 October 2016 |access-date=31 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031213833/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Oct-31/378975-michel-aoun-secures-vote-majority-to-win-lebanon-presidency.ashx|archive-date=31 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Jan-11/331259-lebanese-rivals-meet-for-fresh-round-of-talks.ashx] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111200102/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Jan-11/331259-lebanese-rivals-meet-for-fresh-round-of-talks.ashx|date=11 January 2016}} Daily Star (Lebanon) 11 January 2016</ref> Nationwide elections were finally scheduled for [[2018 Lebanese general election|May 2018]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Will Lebanon's new electoral law end the stalemate?|agency=Al Jazeera|date=15 June 2017|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/06/lebanon-electoral-law-stalemate-170615064815219.html|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903025604/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/06/lebanon-electoral-law-stalemate-170615064815219.html|archive-date=3 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As of August 2019, the Lebanese cabinet included two ministers directly affiliated with [[Hezbollah]], in addition to a close but officially non-member minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/256021-lebanon-s-new-cabinet-up-to-the-challenge|title=Lebanon's New Cabinet: Up to the Challenge?|work=[[Naharnet]]|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206195659/http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/256021-lebanon-s-new-cabinet-up-to-the-challenge|archive-date=6 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The most recent parliamentary [[2022 Lebanese general election|elections]] were held on 15 May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=IntelBrief: Lebanon Election Shakes Up Political Landscape |url=https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2022-may-17/ |work=The Soufan Center |date=17 May 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517080159/https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2022-may-17/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Governorates of Lebanon|Districts of Lebanon|Municipalities of Lebanon}}

Lebanon is divided into nine [[governorate]]s (''muḥāfaẓāt'', {{langx|ar|محافظات}}; singular ''[[Muhafazah|muḥāfaẓah]]'', {{langx|ar|محافظة}}) which are further subdivided into twenty-five districts ({{lang|ar|aqdyah}}, {{langx|ar|أقضية}}; singular: ''[[qadaa|qadāʾ]]'' {{langx|ar|قضاء}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.libandata.org/en/article/list-lebanese-muhafazah-s |title=List of the Lebanese muhafazahs |publisher=Localiban |date=17 May 2017 |access-date=17 April 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420014938/https://www.libandata.org/en/article/list-lebanese-muhafazah-s |url-status=dead }}</ref> The districts themselves are also divided into several municipalities, each enclosing a group of cities or villages. The governorates and their respective districts are listed below:
{{Lebanon Labelled Map|float=right}}
[[File:Lebanon, Baalbek, Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek.jpg|thumb|[[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] [[Capital (column)|capitals]] of the [[Temple of Jupiter (Roman Heliopolis)|Temple of Jupiter]] in [[Baalbek]]]]
* [[Beirut Governorate]]
** Beirut Governorate comprises the city of [[Beirut]] and is not divided into districts.
* [[Akkar Governorate]]
** [[Akkar District|Akkar]]
* [[Baalbek-Hermel Governorate]]
** [[Baalbek District|Baalbek]]
** [[Hermel District|Hermel]]
* [[Beqaa Governorate]]
** [[Rashaya District|Rashaya]]
** [[Western Beqaa District|Western Beqaa]] (''al-Beqaa al-Gharbi'')
** [[Zahle District|Zahle]]
* [[Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate]]
** [[Byblos District|Byblos]] (''Jbeil'')
** [[Keserwan District|Keserwan]]
* [[Mount Lebanon Governorate]] (''Jabal Lubnan''/''Jabal Lebnen'')
** [[Aley District|Aley]]
** [[Baabda District|Baabda]]
** [[Chouf District|Chouf]]
** [[Matn District|Matn]]
* [[Nabatieh Governorate]] (''Jabal Amel'')
** [[Bint Jbeil District|Bint Jbeil]]
** [[Hasbaya District|Hasbaya]]
** [[Marjeyoun District|Marjeyoun]]
** [[Nabatieh District|Nabatieh]]
* [[North Governorate]] (''ash-Shamal''/''shmel'')
** [[Batroun District|Batroun]]
** [[Bsharri District|Bsharri]]
** [[Koura District|Koura]]
** [[Miniyeh-Danniyeh District|Miniyeh-Danniyeh]]
** [[Tripoli District, Lebanon|Tripoli]]
** [[Zgharta District|Zgharta]]
* [[South Governorate]] (''al-Janoub''/''Jnub'')
** [[Jezzine District|Jezzine]]
** [[Sidon District|Sidon]] (''Saida'')
** [[Tyre District|Tyre]] (''Sur'')

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Lebanon}}
[[File:UNbeirut.jpg|thumb|United Nations Lebanon headquarters in Beirut]]

Lebanon concluded negotiations on an association agreement with the European Union in late 2001, and both sides initialed the accord in January 2002. It is included in the European Union's [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP), which aims at bringing the EU and its neighbours closer. Lebanon also has bilateral trade agreements with several Arab states and is working toward accession to the [[World Trade Organization]].

Lebanon enjoys good relations with virtually all of the other Arab countries (despite historic tensions with [[Libya]] and [[Syria]]), and hosted an [[Arab League]] Summit in [[2002 Arab League summit|March 2002]] for the first time in over 35 years. Lebanon is a member of the [[Francophonie]] countries and hosted the Francophonie Summit in October 2002 as well as the [[Jeux de la Francophonie]] in [[2009 Jeux de la Francophonie|2009]].

=== Military ===
{{Main|Lebanese Armed Forces}}
[[File:Lebanese Armed Forces.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the Lebanese army, 2009|right|176x176px]]

The [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)]] has 72,000 active personnel,<ref name="Lebanon">{{cite news|title=Lebanese Armed Forces, CSIS (Page 78)|date=10 February 2009|url=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/090210_lafsecurity3.pdf|access-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805164253/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/090210_lafsecurity3.pdf|archive-date=5 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> including 1,100 in the air force, and 1,000 in the navy.<ref name="Stinson">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-01-lebanon-forces_x.htm|title=Lebanese forces may play bigger role in war|last=Stinson|first=Jefferey|date=1 August 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521121942/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-01-lebanon-forces_x.htm|archive-date=21 May 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The LAF is considered less powerful and influential than [[Hezbollah]] in Lebanon. Hezbollah has 20,000 active fighters and 20,000 in reserves and is supplied with advanced weaponry, including rockets and drones from [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mediterranean gas sends sparks flying between Lebanon and Israel |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/08/21/mediterranean-gas-sends-sparks-flying-between-lebanon-and-israel |access-date=25 December 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225132203/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/08/21/mediterranean-gas-sends-sparks-flying-between-lebanon-and-israel |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Hezbollah? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129032149/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Lebanese Armed Forces' primary missions include defending Lebanon and its citizens against external aggression, maintaining internal stability and security, confronting threats against the country's vital interests, engaging in social development activities, and undertaking relief operations in coordination with public and humanitarian institutions.<ref name="lafmission">{{cite web|url=http://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/english/mission.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040808145709/http://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/English/Mission.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2004|title=LAF Mission|publisher=Lebanese Armed Forces|access-date=19 May 2009}}</ref>

Lebanon is a major recipient of foreign military aid.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfs5KFnHsffexKiQgh0f4eWb4Nbw |title=US military aid at stake in Lebanon elections |last=Lanteaume |first=Sylvie |date=4 August 2009 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523054703/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfs5KFnHsffexKiQgh0f4eWb4Nbw |archive-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> With over $400 million since 2005, it is the second largest per capita recipient of [[United States military aid|American military aid]] behind Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2933|title=The Future of U.S. Military Aid to Lebanon|last=Schenker|first=David|date=3 October 2008|work=[[Washington Institute for Near East Policy]]|access-date=9 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826093558/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2933|archive-date=26 August 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hezbollah effectively controls large portions of southern Lebanon, and has greater military strength than the Lebanese armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nashed |first=Mat |title=Could rival Lebanese factions exploit a weakened Hezbollah? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/30/could-rival-lebanese-factions-exploit-a-weakened-hezbollah |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> The government of Lebanon has been unable or unwilling to prevent Hezbollah attacks on Israel, and violent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Hezbollah? {{!}} Council on Foreign Relations |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}</ref> Many Islamist and Palestinian militias operate in refugee camps because of an agreement that prevents the Lebanese Army from entering them. Many people wanted by the Lebanese government are believed to have taken refuge in the camp as a result of the lack of Lebanese authority.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

=== Law ===
[[File:Grand serail solidere 4.jpg|right|thumb|190x190px|<bdi>[[Grand Serail]] from Riad El Solh Square, Beirut</bdi>]]
There are 18 officially recognized religious groups in Lebanon, each with its own [[Family law in Lebanon|family law]] legislation and set of religious courts.<ref name="unesco1">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/SHS/pdf/Women_in_Personal_Status_Laws.pdf |title=Women In Personal Status Laws |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010052503/http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/SHS/pdf/Women_in_Personal_Status_Laws.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Lebanese legal system is based on the [[Law of France|French system]], and is a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] country, with the exception for matters related to personal status (succession, marriage, divorce, adoption, etc.), which are governed by a separate set of laws designed for each sectarian community. For instance, the Islamic personal status laws are inspired by the [[Sharia]] law.<ref name="globalex" /> 
For Muslims, these tribunals deal with questions of marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance and wills. For non-Muslims, personal status jurisdiction is split: the law of inheritance and wills falls under national civil jurisdiction, while Christian and Jewish religious courts are competent for marriage, divorce, and custody. Catholics can additionally appeal before the [[Roman Rota|Vatican Rota court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mallat.com/articles/T/The%20Lebanese%20Legal%20System.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516171921/http://www.mallat.com/articles/T/The%20Lebanese%20Legal%20System.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2011 |title=The Lebanese Legal System |author=Chibli Mallat |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>

The most notable set of codified laws is the Code des Obligations et des Contrats promulgated in 1932 and equivalent to the [[French Civil Code]].<ref name="globalex">{{cite web |url=http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Lebanon.htm |title=The Lebanese Legal System and Research |author=El Samad, Firas |publisher=Nyulawglobal.org |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117000049/http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Lebanon.htm |archive-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Capital punishment]] is still de facto used to sanction certain crimes, but no longer enforced.{{Clarify|date=August 2024|reason=De facto or de jure? The reference only says that it's still used for certain crimes, it doesn't say anything about de facto or de jure, but certainly claiming it's used "de facto" but then "no longer enforced" seems confusing and contradictory}}<ref name="globalex" /> The Lebanese court system consists of three levels: courts of first instance, courts of appeal, and the court of cassation. The Constitutional Council rules on constitutionality of laws and electoral frauds. There also is a system of religious courts having jurisdiction over personal status matters within their own communities, with rules on matters such as marriage and inheritance.<ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web | publisher = [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] | last = Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | title = Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms – Lebanon | access-date = 4 July 2009 | url = http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/Lebanon_APS.doc | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725093222/https://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/Lebanon_APS.doc | archive-date = 25 July 2009 | url-status=live | df = dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1990, article 95 was amended to provide that the parliament shall take necessary measures to abolish political structure based on religious affiliation, but that until such time only the highest positions in public civil service, including the judiciary, military, security forces, public and mixed institutions, shall be divided equally between [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]] without regard to the denominational affiliation within each community.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saliba|first=Issam|date=3 May 2012|title=Legal Research Guide: Lebanon|url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/legal-research-guide/lebanon.php|access-date=19 March 2021|website=Law Library of Congress|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508141014/https://www.loc.gov/law/help/legal-research-guide/lebanon.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== LGBT rights ====
{{Main|LGBTQ rights in Lebanon}}

Male homosexuality is illegal in Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news |title=The countries where homosexuality is still illegal |url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/96298/the-countries-where-homosexuality-is-still-illegal |work=The Week |date=12 June 2019 |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128203653/https://www.theweek.co.uk/96298/the-countries-where-homosexuality-is-still-illegal |archive-date=28 November 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Discrimination against [[LGBTQ rights in Lebanon|LGBTQ people]] in Lebanon is widespread.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lebanon: No Justification for LGBT Crackdown |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/11/lebanon-no-justification-lgbt-crackdown |work=Human Rights Watch |date=11 February 2019 |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506001010/https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/11/lebanon-no-justification-lgbt-crackdown |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 April 2019 |title=Human rights group urges Lebanon to abolish anti-LGBT law |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/human-rights-group-urges-lebanon-to-abolish-anti-lgbt-law |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054835/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/human-rights-group-urges-lebanon-to-abolish-anti-lgbt-law |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=15 August 2019 |work=PBS}}</ref> According to 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, 85% of Lebanese respondents believe that [[homosexuality]] should not be accepted by society.<ref name="pew2020">{{Citation|date=6 September 2020|title=The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on-homosexuality-persists/|access-date=3 October 2021|archive-date=1 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701105248/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on-homosexuality-persists/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A gender and sexuality conference, held annually in Lebanon, since 2013, was moved abroad in 2019 after a religious group on Facebook called for the organizers' arrest and the cancellation of the conference for "inciting immorality." General Security Forces shut down the 2018 conference and indefinitely denied non-Lebanese LGBT activists who attended the conference permission to re-enter the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2021 |title="Clean the Streets of Faggots" |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/04/clean-streets-faggots |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425122215/https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/04/clean-streets-faggots |archive-date=25 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>