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Table of Contents
Country Reports
LEBANON, Landmine Monitor Report 2005

Lebanon

Key developments since May 2004: Lebanon attended and made statements at the First Review Conference in 2004 and the intersessional meetings in June 2005. The Landmine Impact Survey, released in February 2005, found 28 highly impacted communities and over 250 communities with medium or low impact. National technical survey started in April 2005. In August 2004, Lebanon finalized its End-State Strategy for Mine Action and Long-Term Plan (2005-2009); this sets the goal of clearing high and medium impact areas by 2010. In 2004, more than two square kilometers of mine-affected land was cleared, destroying 2,929 antipersonnel mines, 287 antivehicle mines and 5,991 UXO. Since 2002, Operation Emirates Solidarity has cleared and released to the community over 4.9 square kilometers of mined and mine-suspected land in former Israeli-occupied territories in South Lebanon. The project closed in June 2004, with clearance uncompleted in Area 6. Lebanon received US$9.7 million in international mine action funding in 2004, in addition to $4 million of government assistance. There was a significant decrease in mine casualties in 2004. Assistance to mine survivors was identified as a national mine action priority.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Lebanon has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Lebanon was one of 25 non-States Parties to attend the First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in Nairobi in November-December 2004.[1] In a statement to the high level segment, Lebanon stressed its progress in different aspects of mine action, but reiterated its reasons for not acceding to the treaty, which are focused on the continuing conflict with Israel.[2] The statement concluded by noting that Lebanon “confirms his beliefs in the principles of the Ottawa Convention and its noble objectives, and looks forward to joining the treaty as soon as the above mentioned reasons cease to exist.”[3]

On 3 December 2004, Lebanon abstained from voting on UN General Assembly Resolution 59/84 calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty. In December 1999, Lebanon became the first and only country to ever vote against the annual UNGA resolution supporting the treaty; it has since abstained each year.

Lebanon attended the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings in Geneva in June 2005. It made presentations before two Standing Committees, providing details of its mine risk education and victim assistance programs. Lebanon also attended all the intersessional meetings in 2003 and 2004.

Lebanon is not a member of the Convention on Conventional Weapons or its Amended Protocol II.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Use

In December 2004, Lebanon confirmed that it “has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.”[4] The Lebanese Army stockpiles an unknown number of antipersonnel mines. There was speculation that when Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon, starting in April 2005, they took various weapons with them, including landmines.[5]

There were no confirmed reports of the use of antipersonnel mines by any party, including non-state actors, in Lebanon in 2004 or the first half of 2005. The last known use of antipersonnel mines in Lebanon was by Israel and non-state armed groups, likely Hezbollah, in occupied South Lebanon in 1999 and prior to the May 2000 Israeli withdrawal. Hezbollah has not considered signing the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment for non-state actors, which would commit it to a prohibition on antipersonnel mines; Hezbollah has declared that it is not a non-state armed group, but rather a nationally accepted and supported resistance working to liberate the occupied areas of Lebanon from Israel.[6]

Landmine and UXO Problem

From the beginning of the civil war in 1975 until the end of the Israeli occupation in 2000, mines and other ordnance were used extensively, leaving behind a legacy of antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) including cluster bomblets. Mine/UXO contamination is found virtually throughout the country, with the heaviest concentration of mined areas in the south, in territory formerly occupied by Israeli forces. As of 2005, Lebanon’s border with Israel continues to be a potential flashpoint, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been in place since 1978, continues with its peacekeeping operations.[7]

An estimated 75 percent of the more than 400,000 suspected landmines still in the ground are in the immediate area of the UN delineated “blue line,” affecting more than 90,000 inhabitants. The remaining 100,000 mines are littered throughout the remainder of the country.[8]

Approximately 25 square kilometers of land have been cleared since 1982. However, the Landmine Impact Survey completed in 2003 and released in early 2005 estimated that 22 out of 24 districts, covering 137 square kilometers, are still affected to some degree by mines and/or UXO. It found 28 highly impacted communities and more than 250 communities with medium or low impact. The Lebanese Army counts approximately 2,500 minefields and suspected danger areas throughout the country, affecting 306 communities, with a total of more than one million people (some 30 percent of the population).[9]

The socioeconomic impact of mines and UXO remains significant, especially in areas where it impedes the return of displaced people, such as in the provinces of South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon. In the south, mines are an obstacle to a major drinking and irrigation water pipeline project. They contaminate agricultural land, hindering the return of displaced people. Mines and UXO also continue to contaminate certain areas of shoreline in Beirut, Tabarja, Tripoli and the province of South Lebanon.[10]

Most of the 2,500 remaining minefields in Lebanon are not marked to international standards due to lack of funding. Marking is a task remaining for the National Demining Office; it will be addressed during the execution of the National Technical Survey Project.[11] Fencing along the blue line was started in 2005 by the Lebanese Army Engineer Regiment; as of June, some 8.8 kilometers of minefield boundaries posing a direct threat to the community had been marked and fenced.[12]

Mine Action Program

The Minister of Defense is responsible for mine action in Lebanon, and the National Demining Office (NDO), as part of the Lebanese Armed Forces, is responsible for coordinating, managing and implementing all mine action activities. A special advisor for mine action assists the Minister of Defense. NDO has established two committees, for mine risk education and for survivor assistance, which meet regularly to coordinate their activities.[13] NDO responsibilities also include information management and the regulatory process, including national standards, accreditation and licensing, and quality management.[14]

A UN Mine Action Coordination Center for South Lebanon (MACC SL) was established in Tyre in 2002 as part of the United Arab Emirates-funded Operation Emirates Solidarity (OES) demining project in South Lebanon. Since the project closed in June 2004, MACC SL continues providing a planning, coordination and quality assurance capability to mine action operations undertaken in South Lebanon.[15]

The UN Demining Coordination Cell coordinates and manages operations undertaken by the Ukrainian battalion mine clearance platoon in support of the UNIFIL mission. The mission’s operational area is defined as the approximately 700 square kilometer area south of the Litani River.[16]

Since December 2003, no meeting of the donor group, the International Support Group for Mine Action in Lebanon, has taken place. A meeting scheduled for February 2005 was cancelled as a result of deterioration in the political situation following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. However, bilateral contacts between NDO, the Ministry of Defense and major stakeholders and donor countries continued in 2004 and 2005.[17]

No national mine action legislation exists in Lebanon. In November 2003, however, the Minister of Defense and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the Lebanon Mine Action Strategic Review project. The completed review incorporated Landmine Impact Survey data and resulted in the first End-State Strategy (ESS) for Mine Action in Lebanon, submitted by NDO to the Minister of Defense for approval and distribution in August 2004. Subsequently, NDO released its first annual report (covering 2003) in May 2004 and its first integrated workplan in August 2004. The strategic review permitted the creation by NDO of a new planning system, incorporating the ESS for mine action in Lebanon, long-term plans, the annual integrated workplan and reporting system.[18] The first step of this strategy was the Long-Term Plan 2005-2009.[19]

Capacity-building assistance to NDO is currently provided by the US Department of State, UNDP and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Efforts have focused on increasing the technical knowledge of national personnel and transitioning the Lebanon mine action program to a nationally managed sustainable program. NDO is expected to rely on external capacity-building assistance until 2009, although advisory services will be reduced over time.[20]

NDO and MACC SL use the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), which was upgraded to version 3.190 in December 2004; training in this version was undertaken. IMSMA is maintained at NDO and receives data for all of Lebanon. Information related to the area south of the Litani River is managed by MACC SL. All information is synchronized periodically so that both NDO and MACC SL databases are fully updated. In March 2004, a real-time IMSMA read-only terminal was installed in the UNIFIL Demining Coordination Cell, allowing UNIFIL staff to obtain updates from the IMSMA database as new information is entered. In 2005, NDO planned to develop national information management standards and standard operating procedures.[21]

As of 2005, NDO is hosting a UNDP chief technical advisor and an international technical advisor for IMSMA assisted by two national officers. In 2004, NDO’s deputy director and information management officer attended the UNDP senior managers mine action course at James Madison University in the US, and three Lebanese Army officers attended the UNDP middle managers mine action course held in Amman.[22]

The US program assisting humanitarian demining in Lebanon continued to provide mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training and demining equipment to NDO. The support included development of standard operating procedures and the transfer to NDO of 18 mine detection dogs (MDD) and accompanying handlers trained by RONCO. In addition, the US provided training and equipment to NDO and the Lebanese Army Engineers Regiment for conducting a nationwide technical survey.[23]

National technical and standards guidelines were amended during 2004, based on the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) issued in 2003. NDO plans to develop national standards for the other pillars of mine action in 2005. IMAS mine risk education standards are not fully applied in Lebanon, but national guidelines are followed in all mine risk education trainings; the Arabic-language training manual produced in Lebanon is based on these guidelines.[24]

In 2004, mine clearance was carried out by Lebanese Army Engineer Regiment demining teams (350 personnel plus a Syrian engineer detachment), the NGOs Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and International Mine Initiative, the UNIFIL Ukrainian demining battalion, and the OES project which includes MACC SL and the commercial company BACTEC.

The ESS is an attempt to integrate mine action with the country’s overall development strategy. It contains 12 guidelines for implementation. The concept is based on the assumption that Lebanon, like other countries that have experienced war or preparations for war, is unlikely to become completely free of mines. Thus, it seeks to create a national capacity to deal with residual contamination after the mine action program has formally been completed.

The “demining end-state condition” is stated as one in which “all known dangerous areas where there is substantive threat to life and limb or which hinder successful socioeconomic development are demined to a level that is As Low As Reasonably Acceptable (ALARA) according to national laws and standards, and international and mine action standards.” It also identifies the need for an effective EOD capacity to map cleared or marked dangerous areas, and the need for coordination between mine/UXO awareness needs and demining.[25]

The Long-Term Plan 2005-2009 describes plans to clear all high and medium priority areas by late 2010. Future long-term plans will be developed with the overall goal of achieving a mine and UXO impact-free Lebanon within 10-15 years.[26]

Integrated workplans were developed by NDO for 2004 and 2005. Objectives stated in the 2004 workplan are set in terms of supervision and coordination of clearance tasks implemented by demining operators as part of the OES project by the Army Engineer Regiment and NGOs. NDO was also to conduct quality assurance for tasks cleared by commercial companies and NGOs. Technical safety guidelines were to be updated according to the plan, and preparatory planning work was needed to pave the way for the technical survey due to start in 2005.[27] In addition to supervision and coordination of demining, the new operational objective of the 2005 workplan is technical survey to further identify the mine problem and as a process of area reduction.[28]

Lebanon is giving increased attention to post-clearance humanitarian factors and support to socioeconomic development, especially in South Lebanon. As noted by an NDO officer, “there is a need to mobilize resources, and to make a smooth transition from the emphasis on humanitarian mine action to the support of socioeconomic development.”[29] In 2004, the UNDP socioeconomic project based in Tyre in South Lebanon drafted project proposals to be used as a resource mobilization tool for rehabilitation of areas cleared by the OES.

Survey and Assessment

The Lebanon Landmine Impact Survey (LIS), conducted by MAG with technical support from the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, was completed in August 2003 and certified by UNMAS in September 2004. The report was released in February 2005. According to the LIS, there are 28 highly-impacted communities and more than 250 communities with medium or low impact. LIS data has been entered into the NDO and MACC SL databases.[30]

In 2004, technical survey was carried out by all mine clearance organizations prior to each minefield task in order to reduce the size of suspected areas.[31]

The national technical survey started in April 2005, undertaken by NDO and the Army, with the support of the US Department of State and Department of Defense. It is based on the LIS results and expected to last 12-16 months. The US provided equipment as part of its Train and Equip program, and provided training, in collaboration with the company RONCO, for the Army on technical surveying and area reduction from January to March 2005.[32] The technical survey was launched in Mount Lebanon.[33]

During 2004, UN and Army planning officers conducted a limited level one survey of the suspected mine contamination in OES Area 6, in order to ascertain the requirements for further general survey, technical survey and clearance. It was determined that the remaining mine and UXO threat within the former occupied area (excluding the blue line) is located in the Nabatieh-Jezzine-Hasbaiya area, and lies between the Litani and Awuali Rivers. The total area is 583,233,908 square meters, with an estimated 2,128,650 square meters contaminated by landmines. Reconnaissance and information gathering was completed in June 2005.[34]

In September 2003, MACC SL began enhancing the measurement of mine action impact in the OES cleared areas. This involved the completion in August 2004 of a post-clearance review conducted by MACC SL and UNDP with Lebanese Army participation. The general findings confirmed that landowners of the cleared areas (OES Areas 1-5) had confidence in the clearance process and were using the land for agricultural purposes. Some former agricultural land was used for house construction. Some villages have recently had new power lines and underground telephone lines installed, and many of the villages have new schools. A gradual increase in the number of returnees to the area has been noticed.[35] On 10 March 2005, the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon inaugurated the renovated water reservoir in Beit Yahoun. The need for its rehabilitation was identified through the post-clearance review; the UNIFIL Ukrainian battalion, MACC SL and Australian Embassy all committed funds to this project.[36]

Mine and UXO Clearance

Lebanon plans to clear all high and medium priority mine-affected areas by late 2010, with the overall goal of rendering all areas free of the impact of mines and UXO within 10-15 years. The “end-state” for demining is stated in general terms of “as low as reasonably acceptable.”[37] Areas for demining operations are selected among the 28 highly-impacted communities in the Bekaa Valley, North Lebanon, South Lebanon and Nabatieh provinces, and the 164 medium-impacted communities in the Bekaa Valley, North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon and Nabatieh provinces, according to the priorities established by the LIS.[38]

NDO reported that in 2004 a total of 2,083,459 square meters was cleared by the Lebanese Army Engineers Regiment and international organizations; 2,929 antipersonnel mines, 287 antivehicle mines and 5,991 UXO were found and destroyed. From 8 January to 1 April 2005, a further 21,925 square meters were cleared and 228 antipersonnel mines, four antivehicle mines and two UXO were destroyed.[39] Demining of OES Areas 1-5 was completed in May 2004, releasing more than 4.9 square kilometers of land to local communities since the OES started in 2001. Area 6, which was added to the OES project later and includes mine-affected villages and communities within the former Israeli occupied area (excluding areas along the blue line), remains to be cleared.[40] As of June 2005, MACC SL and NDO were involved in raising funds for clearance of the remaining area.

In 2004, the Lebanese Army’s four demining companies (each consisting of 60 operational and 15 support staff) cleared 1,720,000 square meters, destroying 130 antipersonnel mines, 47 antivehicle mines and 5,451 UXO.[41] The Army used manual, mechanical and dog clearance methods with nine MDD teams (18 dogs and nine handlers), and one Amtrac 100 machine with two operators and two manual deminers. Army teams were deployed throughout the country, in Kfar-falous, Nabatieh, West Bekaa and Mount Lebanon. Three detachments from the Syrian Army supported the Army demining teams in 2004.[42] All EOD/UXO tasking from MACC SL was sent to the Army EOD teams for action.[43] The Army also deployed a sampling and survey team in South Lebanon consisting of nine deminers and one officer; the team completed all sampling tasks issued by MACC SL in 2004 and conducted technical survey operations. As of March 2005, the sampling team was conducting manual clearance in the area of Ghandourieh.[44]

Mine Clearance in 2004 by Army and International Organizations[45]

Operator
Area cleared
(square meters)
Antipersonnel mines cleared
Antivehicle mines cleared
UXO cleared
Army
1,720,000
130
47
5,451
OES BACTEC
91,085
1,400
61
257
BACTEC volunteers
1,238
0
37
9
MAG
130,723
126
6
63
IMI
102,617
243
128
13
Ukrainian UNIFIL[46]
35,310
1,008
3
52
Army sampling team
2,486
22
5
146
Total
2,083,459
2,929
287
5,991

BACTEC was deployed during 2004 in South Lebanon in phase three of the OES project, which consisted of the clearance of OES Area 5, as well as a “sweep through” of OES Areas 1-5, which lasted four months (19 January-29 May 2004). BACTEC utilized 104 deminers, 27 battle area clearance searchers and 97 staff for supervising, technical support, administration and medical support. There were six MDD teams and 100 metal detectors, 4 Bozena mini-flails, one Armtrak 100 flail, one vegetation cutter, one armored Bulldozer and one Boardloop detector.[47] In this phase of the OES project, 66 dangerous areas were addressed, resulting in approximately 91,000 square meters of land cleared and 1,461 landmines located and destroyed.[48]

Operation Emirates Solidarity formally closed on 6 June 2004, as funding for the original project (Areas 1-5) ceased.[49] In Area 6, which remained to be completed, all minefields and dangerous areas had been visited and information gathered as of May 2005. Funding for clearance was requested from Saudi Arabia.[50] The total required for mine/UXO clearance, technical survey, quality assurance and operational planning of Area 6 is estimated as almost $15 million.[51]

The OES project cleared 4,932,434 square meters in 2003-2004, and destroyed 56,455 antipersonnel mines, 1,637 antivehicle mines and 4,211 UXO from 2002 to 2004.[52]

Following closure of the OES project, BACTEC’s Lebanese deminers offered their services for free to continue the demining effort in South Lebanon. A team of 20 deminers was provided with equipment, vehicles and insurance coverage by BACTEC. Operations lasted one month and the team cleared 1,238 square meters, 37 antivehicle mines and nine UXO.[53]

Mines Advisory Group conducted technical survey and mine clearance in Deir El Qamar, Mount Lebanon and Chouf during 2004. It cleared some 130,000 square meters and investigated 1,100,000 square meters of suspected areas that have been subsequently cancelled and returned to local communities; 131 antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, and 67 UXO were destroyed.[54] MAG deployed two mine action teams, one mechanical support team, a community liaison officer and other personnel; in total there were 62 national and two international staff.[55]

MAG continued technical survey and mine clearance in Deir El Qamar, Mount Lebanon and Chouf until May 2005, and in Kfar Tibnit, Nabatieh and Blatt, Marjioun until the end of June 2005. Since 6 May, all MAG teams have been deployed in Nabatieh, part of OES Area 6, with Norwegian funding for one year until 31 May 2006. MAG contracted Danminar to deploy a two-dog/one handler team, but in June 2005 the team left Lebanon because it was unable to pass the field assessment for accreditation.[56] From January until June 2005, MAG cleared about 40,000 square meters of land, and lifted and destroyed 11 mines and 15 UXO.[57]

The Greek NGO International Mine Initiative (IMI) deployed 14 deminers, one MDD team, eight administration staff and one Maria flail for mine clearance in Nabatieh, which worked until closure of the OES project in June 2004. IMI started operations in Lebanon in December 2002.[58]

Ukrainian Army’s Third Engineer Battalion (URKBATT) conducted verification and clearance of patrol routes along the blue line and other suspected areas in 2003-2004. In 2004, UKRBATT cleared 35,310 square meters, destroying 1,008 antipersonnel mines, three antivehicle mines and 52 UXO. UNIFIL has deployed UKRBATT since January 2001.[59]

During operations in 2004, one Lebanese Army deminer was injured. In 2005, two Army deminers were injured while conducting mine clearance operations.[60] No accidents in the OES project in 2004 were reported by MACC SL.

Both NDO and MACC SL conduct quality assurance and quality control of the operations they supervise. This involves accreditation, licensing and monitoring of the work performed by the clearance organizations. MACC SL is assisted by Lebanese Army quality assurance officers for operations in South Lebanon. Lebanese Army sampling teams accredited and deployed during 2004 were also tasked by MACC SL to conduct quality control involving random sampling of cleared areas.[61]

Mine Risk Education

In 2004-2005, NDO continued to be the focal point for all mine risk education (MRE) in Lebanon. NDO’s Mine Risk Education Committee (NMREC) oversees the training of MRE activists and MRE implementation. Working as the implementing coordinator with funding partners such as UNICEF, World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), local NGOs and mine clearance organizations, NDO implements a holistic MRE campaign designed to target all sectors of the population. The campaign is based on a needs assessment undertaken region by region, supervised by NDO and NMREC.[62]

From the LIS and a UNICEF assessment of MRE in South Lebanon in August 2004, it was found that 70 percent of the population had been exposed to MRE interventions, could recall at least two safety messages, and had received at least one MRE product.[63] The UNICEF evaluation, however, called for MRE to be more focused on schools through trained teachers. NMREC undertook a brief evaluation of school-based MRE activities in 2004. A sample of schools was visited, and two classes were randomly selected and their students invited to discuss MRE issues. NMREC responses were 70 percent positive. An evaluation of the impact of MRE theater plays was planned for 2005.[64]

In 2004, MRE activities were mostly community-based, targeting school students in the south, Mount Lebanon and Batroun in the northern province. Community members in villages at risk in the south and Mount Lebanon are reached through community meetings. MRE messages are repeated in schools in organized follow-up campaigns. NMREC includes a representative of the Ministry of Education who facilitates MRE activities in schools such as visits by MRE activists and training events.

In October 2004, all schools in mine-affected areas received a set of MRE materials. These included posters, coloring books for all students aged eight to 12 years, an MRE pamphlet aimed at students aged 13 to 15 years, and a diary. Each school also received a CD of an MRE song, a videotape of mines and MRE, and a teacher training manual and MRE kit containing an explanation of messages, suggested lesson plans, games and ideas for interactive MRE sessions. MRE activists are available to help teachers in the implementation of MRE if required.[65]

Between September and November 2004, 625 teachers were trained in MRE. The course targeted 275 teachers in the northern provinces and Mount Lebanon through US EUCOM funding, with additional funding provided by WRF. In South Lebanon, Nabatieh and West Bekaa provinces, the course targeted 350 teachers and was funded by NPA. These teachers then undertook MRE in their respective schools, both at primary and secondary levels. Children aged eight to 17 years were the main focus, with a variety of methodologies used, including song, participatory discussions, classroom lectures and theatre. Children aged eight to 12 years attended a play and learned MRE songs. Children aged 13 to 15 years received classroom-based lectures, and certain schools conducted trips to locations where mine clearance operations were taking place. Five schools organized painting competitions on the theme of MRE, while in others students were encouraged to write stories or poems on the subject of MRE.[66]

In March 2005, NMREC visited a sample of these schools to evaluate the work of the teachers and the impact of the training. Findings were positive: 85 percent of teachers had undertaken MRE and 90 percent of children surveyed knew four out of five of the messages.[67]

In September 2004, a ‘yellow book’ was released, targeted at business people seeking information on the landmine problem in Lebanon, funded by NPA. This book gives an overview of the history and location of the mine problem, role of mine action bodies and mine action process, and achievements to date. It was also distributed to schools.[68] On 7 February 2005, WRF launched a DVD on landmines as a new MRE tool.[69]

Between January and May 2004, an MRE campaign was launched by the NDO MRE Section and NMREC in Mount Lebanon province and Al-Batroun district, with the support of NPA and WRF. This was followed by a refresher campaign from September to December. The campaign targeted 200 affected villages. In 2005, an evaluation was planned, with NPA funding support. IMI also planned to launch an MRE campaign in the remaining areas of Mount Lebanon and the northern province (except Al-Batroun district), with NMREC collaboration.[70]

In 2004 through April 2005, MRE NGOs also continued to promote other events in different regions, including summer camps with MRE themes and community-based lectures. Summer camps were organized by the scout association; each included an MRE session. MRE activists also organized MRE village meetings, in coordination with other major actors and local leaders, targeting adult women and men. Meetings usually take place in the evenings, in fields where people are working, or during the weekend. When MRE first commenced in Lebanon, it was mainly undertaken by the military. Since 2002, however, the majority of activities have been undertaken by civilian activists and teachers. They receive a five-day training and must have three years of community development experience. All activists are volunteers and receive only a stipend to cover transport costs.[71]

In January 2005, an MRE play targeting school children, aged eight to 12 years, began touring the country, with UNICEF, WRF and NPA funding. One hundred performances had taken place by May 2005, reaching more than 2,000 teachers and 55,000 students.[72]

Funding and Assistance

In 2004, Lebanese government contributions and funds provided by the international donor community totaled some $13.6 million. The government provided in-kind and other support valued at approximately $4 million (Army demining teams, $3 million; NDO, $1 million), representing about 29 percent of funding in 2004.[73] According to NDO and MACC SL, international donors provided an estimated $9.7 million.[74] NDO records the following international donations received in 2004:[75]

  • Australia: $13,000 to OES demining project;
  • Czech Republic: $7,000 to “trees instead of mines” project;
  • European Commission: €521,846 ($649,072) for demining;
  • France: €110,000 ($136,818) for training in France;
  • Greece: €1,800,000 ($2,238,840) for IMI demining;
  • Japan: $139,300, consisting of $49,000 to “trees instead of mines” project, and $90,300 for mine dog detection program;
  • Norway: NOK7,500,000 ($1,517,964), consisting of $1,112,776 for mine clearance and $405,188 for victim assistance;
  • Republic of South Korea: $54,000 for two vehicles;
  • Switzerland: $119,975 for mine clearance;
  • UK: $142,857 to UNDP for capacity-building (2004/2005);
  • UNDP: $35,000 for capacity-building;
  • UNICEF: $32,735 for MRE;
  • UNIFIL: $561,600 for July 2003 to June 2004;
  • United Arab Emirates: $520,910 to OES demining project;
  • US: $3.1 million, consisting of $1,300,000 through the Department of Defense for demining, MRE and NDO, $900,000 through the Department of State for demining, and $900,000 through USAID for MRE and victim assistance projects;
  • Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF): $100,000 to mine action coordination;
  • VTF UK: $250,000 for MACC SL coordination.

NDO also received C$10,000 ($7,682) from Abdu Al-Toussi, representing private donations from Canadian-Lebanese citizens, to support military mine survivors, and $40,000 from the Lebanese Canadian Bank for mine survivors. NDO also received in-kind assistance, which was not costed.[76]

Landmine Monitor identified six donor countries contributing a total of $5,180,984 for mine action in Lebanon in 2004. This represents an estimated decrease from $5.9 million reported by donors in 2003.[77] The donor countries in 2004 were: France, €81,500 ($101,370); Greece €900,000 ($1,119,420), Japan, ¥15,900,000 ($147,018); Luxembourg, €25,000 ($31,095); Norway, NOK10,500,000 ($1,557,887; Switzerland, CHF227,813 ($168,750); US, $2,055,444.

Landmine Casualties

In 2004, 14 new landmine/UXO casualties were recorded, including two people killed and 12 injured; all were civilians, one was female and three were under 18 years of age.[78] This represents a significant decrease from the 26 new casualties reported in 2003. The majority of casualties are from the south, mainly Marjeyoun and Nabatieh, injured during recreational activities, while collecting scrap metal, or while collecting edible plants. Casualties include a Lebanese Army deminer who was injured during mine clearance operations.[79]

Casualties continued to be reported in 2005, with three people killed and 11 injured by 8 June, including one girl and four boys under 18 years of age. Two deminers were injured during mine clearance operations.

The Lebanon Mine Resource Center (LMRC) at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand maintains a landmine casualty database in cooperation with the NDO, providing both NDO and MACC SL with casualty data for their IMSMA databases. In 2004, LMRC completed data collection in Chouf and Aley, the two most mine-affected districts of Mount Lebanon province, under the supervision of NDO and in collaboration with the National Victim Assistance Committee.

In June 2005, Lebanon stated that 3,975 landmine casualties (1,835 killed and 2,140 injured) had been identified since 1970, with 34 percent of casualties aged between 31 and 40 years of age.[80] Data from the LIS is included in the NDO and MACC SL databases.[81]

Survivor Assistance

For survivor assistance, the NDO’s End-State Strategy, launched in December 2004, aims to achieve the successful reintegration of mine/UXO survivors into society, “with appropriate support for individual cases provided through a national system,” and to eventually hand over assistance programs to national entities with responsibilities to address the needs of survivors. Activities will be supplemented with advocacy within civil society and activities for recognition of the rights of disabled people within the framework of the proposed Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. NDO has identified providing assistance to mine/UXO survivors through direct (coordination) and indirect (lobbying and representation) support as a national mine action priority.[82]

The National Mine Victim Assistance Committee (NMVAC) coordinates victim assistance activities in Lebanon.[83] NDO workplans for 2004 and 2005 include the objectives of assisting survivors in accessing medical, social, psychological and economic services, continuing income generating programs, facilitating loans for survivors, capacity-building of NGOs and survivors, and assisting with the participation of survivors in national and international events and activities.[84]

In the south, the existing first aid structure is used for the evacuation of landmine casualties, including ambulances and first aid provided by the Lebanese Red Cross, Islamic Health Council and Al-Rissala First Aid Service, to the nearest emergency room. Only one of five hospitals in the south has the facilities to provide the necessary assistance. The government normally pays for initial hospital care, while funding for long-term hospital care is not available. Most Lebanese citizens have access to services and are covered by State social insurance.[85]

The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Affairs and NGOs provide rehabilitation services through 38 physical rehabilitation centers.[86] The Ministry of Health, or Council of the South, covers the cost of prosthetics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. NGOs provide the services and are later reimbursed for the costs. There is no coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Council of the South; however, NDO is creating a network between all the relevant stakeholders to avoid overlap.[87]

Support to landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities is also provided through the Ministry of Social Affairs, which issues a disability card giving access to free services, literacy programs and welfare. However, services are limited due to a lack of funding. The Ministry of Labor runs the National Employment Institute, which provides vocational training, through NGOs, to all those who need it including disabled people. However, the capacity is limited and centers are usually in urban areas. In 2004, the National Employment Institute assisted approximately 600 people with disability.[88]

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Sidon Orphan Welfare Society and Lebanon College for Disabled, supported centers in Beit Shabab and Sidon with the supply of materials and components, technical support and financial assistance to cover the cost of services for Palestinian refugees at the Sidon center. Following a monitoring visit in mid-2004, ICRC support to the Beit Shabab center ceased at the end 2004. In 2004, the centers assisted more than 150 people, and produced 84 prostheses and 64 orthoses; eight prostheses were for landmine survivors.[89]

Norwegian People’s Aid continues its support to survivor assistance programs, in cooperation with NDO, working through eight partners; all are members of NMVAC. NPA’s activities include emergency and first aid, prosthetic and orthopedic workshops, physical therapy and rehabilitation, socioeconomic reintegration and psychosocial support, in the south. In 2004, NPA equipped 10 ambulances with emergency and trauma kits, supported the adaptation of four private homes and two public places to improve accessibility for disabled persons, supported 29 survivors with micro-credit loans, and supplied mobility devices to landmine survivors, including 44 artificial limbs, two artificial eyes, 18 hearing aids, 42 wheelchairs, 62 water mattresses, 66 walkers, 10 toilet chairs, 188 crutches, and 60 tripods and walking sticks. NPA is also enhancing the capacity of its partners with training, equipment and supplies, and support for the development of a code of conduct and workplan for NMVAC. NPA also supported the survey on landmine casualties, a study on the socioeconomic impact of income generating projects, and a football team of landmine survivors affiliated to the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped (LWAH).[90]

LWAH provides hospitalization and medical follow-up, physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support, micro-credit schemes, and advocacy and awareness raising for landmine survivors and their families in South Lebanon. The socioeconomic reintegration program started in February 2004. LWAH also supports the Mine Survivors Club, which focuses on peer support visits and meetings, psychosocial support to survivors and their families, advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities, social and recreational activities, sports, employment and income generating projects. About 100 mine survivors benefited from home visits. The club compiled a detailed needs assessment file for each survivor, and offered a small package of basic nutritional items to each household visited. LWAH also runs the Nabih Berri Rehabilitation Center in Nabatieh, which provides physical rehabilitation, mobility devices, speech and hearing therapy, occupational therapy and vocational training. In 2004, LWAH provided 23,072 medical, social and rehabilitation services, and assisted 120 landmine survivors. The rehabilitation center produced 47 prostheses and six orthoses, and provided 12 wheelchairs, 47 crutches, five water mattresses, eight walkers and 25 silicone sheets. LWAH also provided six micro-credit loans to landmine survivors: two were for beekeeping/honey production; one for a grocery store; one for milk production; one for a kiosk; one for egg production. Activities are limited by a lack of funding. LWAH is partially funded by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, NPA, WRF and UNICEF.[91]

The US-based World Rehabilitation Fund implements activities in collaboration with NDO and partner organizations for the socioeconomic reintegration of mine survivors. WRF funds the Jezzine Landmine Survivor Cooperative, which works on empowering landmine survivors in the District of Jezzine through income generation activities. The cooperative supports the production of honey, eggs and medicinal herbs. As of December 2004, more than 1,000 people, including 131 direct beneficiaries (79 mine survivors and 52 families of those killed) and their dependents have benefited from the project. The cooperative has its own retail shop and produce is sold with a special identifying label. The beekeeping project has 70 beneficiaries, 54 are working in the poultry program, and seven are working in herb production. The cooperative also opened an internet café in 2004 for computer training, job creation and entertainment. The WRF project in Jezzine is supported by USAID and Leahy War Victims Fund.[92]

Al-Jarha Association for the War Wounded and Disabled in Lebanon works with survivors and other people with disabilities to promote their reintegration through vocational training, equipment and loans. Al-Jarha operates an ambulance and referral service, and has centers in Al-Abbas, Beit El-Jareeh, and in South Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley that provide vocational training, education scholarships for people with disabilities and awareness raising on disability issues. Those living in rural areas receive training in beekeeping or fishing, and those living in urban centers received training in languages, accounting, secretarial and computer skills. Al-Jarha receives support from NPA.[93]

Vision Association for Development, Rehabilitation and Care provides referral services for medical care, physical rehabilitation, vocational training, micro-credit schemes including interest-free loans, job placement and accessibility projects. In 2004, 50 people benefited from the activities, including 30 mine survivors. Vision Association provided 30 prostheses, 20 wheelchairs and 100 crutches, made four schools accessible for people with disabilities, and provided one scholarship for a survivor to study at the Omar El Mukhtar Institution.[94]

The National Rehabilitation and Development Center (NRDC) in West Mount Lebanon, provides emergency medical care, physical rehabilitation, socioeconomic reintegration, awareness raising and advocacy, with support from NPA, Balamand University and the Ministry of Health. In 2004, 21 landmine survivors were assisted free of charge.[95]

Other organizations assisting persons with disabilities in Lebanon with medical care, physical rehabilitation and socioeconomic reintegration include the Philanthropic Association for the Disabled Care in Nabatieh district in the south, and Handicap International.[96]

Two mine survivors from Lebanon participated in the Raising the Voices training program in Geneva in June 2004, the Amman Landmine Survivors Network (LSN) workshop in September 2004, the Cairo Landmine Monitor launch in November 2004, and the First Review Conference and Survivors Summit in Nairobi in November-December 2004. Another landmine survivor participated in the LSN training session in Amman in March 2005, on human rights, advocacy and the Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. Landmine survivors also participated in the 2004 Beirut marathon together with NDO staff and NGOs.[97]

Disability Policy and Practice

Lebanon has legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; however, the law is reportedly not yet effective.[98]

In 2004, the Arab Organization of Disabled People (AODP) organized a series of training sessions on advocacy and leadership for disabled persons in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia and Bahrain. AODP, in collaboration with the Arab League, convened two regional expert meetings on the proposed international convention on disability in Cairo and Beirut, which resulted in the adoption of an Arab draft of the convention.[99]


[1] Lebanon was represented by its Ambassador in Senegal, Michel Haddad (who also attended the Ottawa signing conference in 1997), and Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, head of the Victim Assistance Section of the National Demining Office.

[2] Amb. Haddad cited the “failure of the Government of Israel to submit all the maps showing the deployment of landmines,” and the “continued occupation by Israel of parts of Southern Lebanon.” He also stated, “Israel, which continues to produce and use landmines, has not instituted a national demining program, and willingly makes statements through its officials that demining is no longer Israel’s priority. In addition, Israel refuses to adhere to the Ottawa Convention in order to escape its obligations towards peace and human rights.” Statement of Amb. Michel Haddad, Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World (First Review Conference), Nairobi, 3 December 2004

[3] Statement of Amb. Michel Haddad, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 3 December 2004.

[4] Statement of Amb. Michel Haddad, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 3 December 2004.

[5] Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, 8:40 p.m., 30 April 2005.

[6] Landmine Monitor interview with Hezbollah spokesperson, 29 December 2004. Hezbollah representatives have told Landmine Monitor that Hezbollah uses improvised explosive devices, but does not stockpile antipersonnel landmines.

[7] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 57.

[8] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 57.

[9] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1054.

[10] UN, “Country profile: Lebanon,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 28 July 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 1054-1055.

[11] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 15; “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action 2005,” p. 12.

[12] MACC SL, “Monthly report, March 2005,” p. 4; MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” p. 2.

[13] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1055.

[14] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 2.

[15] Interview with Col. Haidar Faroukh, Head of Operations Section, NDO, Beirut, 2 May 2005.

[16] MACC SL, “Quarterly report, October to December 2004,” p. 4.

[17] Interview with Col. Haidar Faroukh, Head of Operations Section, Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, Victim Assistance Section Head, and Col. Talouzian, Assistant Director, NDO, Beirut, 3 February 2005.

[18] UN, “Country profile: Lebanon,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 28 July 2005.

[19] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 58.

[20] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 57.

[21] Interview with Richard Sayegh and Col. Marwan Sakr, IT Section, NDO, Beirut, 7 January 2005; interview with Beat Schoch, IMSMA Technical Advisor, NDO, Beirut, 26 February 2005. See also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1055.

[22] Interview with Col. Haidar Faroukh, NDO, Beirut, 2 May 2005.

[23] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 14.

[24] Interview with Abdullah Noureddine, Islamic Health Council, and Imad Khoshman, Al Jarha, Dr. Nasser  Bulteif, Al Ru'ya, NMREC, NDO, Beirut, 27 June 2005.

[25] NDO, “End-State Strategy (ESS) for Mine Action in Lebanon, Demining End-State Condition,” 2004, p. 9.

[26] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 58.

[27] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 13; NDO, “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action 2005,” p. 11.

[28] NDO, “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action 2005,” p. 11.

[29] Interview with Gen. Salim Raad, NDO, Beirut, 10 November 2004.

[30] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1055.

[31] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 15.

[32] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 15.

[33] Interview with Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, Victim Assistance Section Head, NDO, Geneva, 14 June 2005.

[34] MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” pp. 3-4.

[35] Interview with Mr. Dbouk, UNDP Mine Action Program Assistant, NDO, Beirut, 11 February 2005.

[36] MACC SL, “Monthly report, March 2005,” p. 4.

[37] UNDP, “The Completion Initiative Concept Paper and National Plans,” 15 June 2005, p. 58; NDO, “End-State Strategy (ESS) for Mine Action in Lebanon, Demining End-State Condition,” 2004, pp. 1, 9.

[38] NDO, “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action 2005,” Annex A.

[39] Information obtained from Lt. Col. Wassim Rizk, Operations Section, NDO, Beirut, 2 May 2005; see also NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B, pp. 1-2.

[40] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, January to March 2005,” pp. 3-7.

[41] Information obtained from Lt. Col. Wassim Rizk, NDO, Beirut, 2 May 2005.

[42] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B.

[43] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, July to September 2004,” p. 7.

[44] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B; MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, January to March 2005,” p. 5.

[45] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B.

[46] Information obtained from Lt. Col. Wassim Rizk, NDO, Beirut, 2 May 2005. Data reported to Landmine Monitor by some operators differs from NDO data.

[47] NDO, Annual Report 2004, “Lebanon Mine Action Program,” Annex B.

[48] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, April to June 2004,” p. 3

[49] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, October to December 2004,” p. 4.

[50] MACC SL, “Monthly report, July 2005,” p. 3.

[51] MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” p. 10.

[52] MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” p. 6.

[53] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, April to June 2004,” p. 7; MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, July to September 2004,” p. 7.

[54] Email from Matt Willson, Project Coordinator for Middle East, MAG, 28 July 2005.

[55] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B; email from Tim Carstairs, Director of Policy, MAG, 26 September 2005.

[56] MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” p. 4.

[57] Email from Matt Willson, MAG, 28 July 2005.

[58] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex B; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1058.

[59] MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, July to September 2004,” p. 6

[60] Interview with Col. Haidar Faroukh, NDO, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[61] NDO, Annual Report 2004, “Lebanon Mine Action Program,” p. 18 and Annex B; MACC SL, “Quarterly report, April to June 2005,” p. 5.

[62] NDO, Annual Report 2004, “Lebanon Mine Action Program,” p. 18.

[63] NMREC meeting, NDO, Beirut, 7 April 2005.

[64] Email from Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 27 September 2004.

[65] Information provided by Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[66] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 18.

[67] Information provided by Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[68] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 18.

[69] Email from Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 27 September 2004.

[70] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 18.

[71] Information provided by Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[72] Information provided by Habbouba Aoun, Lebanon Mine Resource Center, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[73] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 9.

[74] NDO, Lebanon Mine Action Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Annex E; MACC SL, “Quarterly Report, April to June 2005,” p. 9. This amount does not include in-kind assistance for which a monetary equivalent has not been provided.

[75] NDO, Annual Report 2004, “Lebanon Mine Action Program,” Annex E; MACC SL, Quarterly Report, April to June 2005, p. 9. Average exchange rates for 2004 used throughout this report: US$1 = NOK6.7399; €1=US$1.2438; US$1=CN$1.3017. US Federal Reserve, "List of Exchange Rates (Annual)," 3 January 2005.

[76] NDO, Annual Report 2004, “Lebanon Mine Action Program,” Annex E. These amounts are included in the total of $9.7 million funding by international donors.

[77] Landmine Monitor Report, p. 1056.

[78] Unless otherwise stated, information on landmine casualties is taken from the LMRC database as of June 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1061.

[79] Interview with Col. Haidar Faroukh, NDO, Beirut, 14 June 2005.

[80] Presentation by Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, Head of Mine Victim Assistance Section, NDO, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 17 June 2005.

[81] For more information see “Landmine Impact Survey - Lebanon,” Survey Action Center (SAC), Washington DC, February 2005, pp. 20, 23-24. The LIS was completed in August 2003.

[82] NDO, “End-State Strategy (ESS) for Mine Action in Lebanon,” Beirut, December 2004, p. 7, www.ndo-lb.org/policies/ESS.pdf.

[83] For more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1062.

[84] NDO, “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action in Lebanon in 2004,” Annex C, www.ndo-lb.org/policies/IWP2004.pdf; NDO, “Integrated Work Plan for Mine Action in Lebanon in 2005,” Annex C.

[85] For more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1062; see also “Landmine Impact Survey - Lebanon,” SAC, Washington, February 2005, pp. 35-36.

[86] Statement of Amb. Michel Haddad, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 3 December 2005.

[87] Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh NDO, and Chairman, NMVAC, 27 July 2005; for more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1062.

[88] Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, NDO, and Chairman, NMVAC, 27 July 2005.

[89] ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, July 2005, p. 39.

[90] Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Anissa Sabehayoun and Wafaa Yassir, NPA Lebanon, 13 June 2005; see also Standing Tall Australia and Mines Action Canada, “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 56. NPA’s implementing partners include Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped, Welfare Association for the Handicapped in Nabatiyah, Al-Jarha Welfare Association for the War Wounded and Disabled in Lebanon, Islamic Health Council, National Rehabilitation and Development , Philanthropic Association for Disabled Care, Vision Association for Development, Rehabilitation and Care, and LMRC.

[91] Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire from Boutros Hobeika, Public Relations Officer and Mine Action Officer, LWAH, Beirut, 23 July 2005; see also “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 55; “Landmine Impact Survey - Lebanon,” SAC, Washington DC, February 2005, p. 37.

[92] Presentation by Habbouba Aoun, LMRC, in collaboration with WRF, to the Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, 31 May - 2 June 2005; see also “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 57.

[93] “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 54; see also “Landmine Impact Survey - Lebanon,” SAC, Washington, February 2005, p. 35.

[94] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire from Dr. Nasser Abou Ltaif, Head, Vision Association, Beirut, 30 July 2005.

[95] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire from Khaled al-Mohtar, Manager, NRDC, Beirut, 25 July 2005.

[96] “Landmine Impact Survey - Lebanon,” SAC, Washington DC, February 2005, p. 39; see also Handicap International, www.handicap-international.org.uk/page_189.html.

[97] Presentation by Lt. Col. Khaled El-Alieh, NDO, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 17 June 2005.

[98] For more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1064; see also US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2004: Lebanon,” Washington, 28 February 2005.

[99] Disabled People’s International, “Convention - Yes! Disability Convention News,” Vol. 1 N° 6, April 2004, www.dpi.org/en/resources/publications/documents/cyapr04.doc; “ESCWA Launches Specialized Website on Meeting on Information and Communication Technology for Persons with Disability,” United Nations Information Service, Beirut, 25 May 2004, www.worldenable.net/reasonablea/news20040525.htm.