Lebanon (Republic of)

Lebanon (Republic of)

History of Relations

South Africa has historic relations with Lebanon due to a sizeable community of South African of Lebanese origin (30 000), the first components of which dates back more than a century. South Africa maintained a Consulate-General in Lebanon until 1974, and from then onwards an Interest Section under the auspices of the Swiss Embassy, due to pressure from the Arab League on Lebanon to apply diplomatic sanctions. In 1979 the last South African official was withdrawn because of the threat posed by the civil war but the Mission continued to function with only one locally recruited staff member until the last of these went on retirement in 1982. The South African Interest Section was never officially "closed", but its functioning was only "suspended". The Lebanese Interest Section of the Swiss Embassy in South Africa continued to function uninterruptedly until full diplomatic relations were established in 1995. On 27 June 1994, Lebanon and South Africa formally re-established full diplomatic relations.

Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad visited the Republic of Lebanon during November 1999 accompanied by a business delegation.

South Africa enjoys cordial relations with the Republic of Lebanon and has a large ethnic Lebanese community in South Africa.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Lebanon

At present South Africa has no residential diplomatic presence in Lebanon. The South African Ambassador in Damascus, Syria is accredited to Lebanon on a non-residential basis.

H E Mr B P Gilder
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

Lebanese Representation in South Africa

H E Mr K Frangieh
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Lebanese Embassy.

Health Requirements

Tetanus immunisation is recommended.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Summer is generally hot at the coast but at the mountains it is cooler. In winter there is frequent rain and snow in the mountains.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit is the Lebanese Pound (LBP).

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

No Information

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Lebanon, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

No Information