Lebanon - Country Information

Film Commissions

Permits
Permits are required to film in Lebanon. These are available from the General Security Office and the Ministry of Defence and the ministries or organisations responsible for the location in question. Applications are more efficient if a local production service company is used. Before leaving, film rushes and tapes are subject to the approval of the General Security Office.

General Information

Location: Middle East
Local Time: From 30 Mar 08 to 25 Oct 08 GMT +3
From 25 Oct 08 to 29 Mar 09 GMT +2
From 29 Mar 09 to 24 Oct 09 GMT +3
Capital City: Beirut
Population: 4.5 million
Area: 10,452 square km, 6,494 square miles.
Language(s): Arabic, English, French
Dialling Code: 961
Emergency: Police: 112/160. Fire: 175/125. Ambulance: 140/125
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit recommended, temporary licence available from local authorities on presentation of UK licence
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Lebanese Lira (LBP 1 = 100 Piastres)
Notes: LBP: 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000
Coins: LBP: 50, 100, 250, 500

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1400/1700 Mon-Fri, 0800-1300 Sat
Office: 0800-1800 Mon-Fri (private sector), 0800-1400 Mon-Thur, 0800-1100 Fri, 0800-1300 Sat (Government offices)
Shops: 0930-1800 Mon-Sat (winter), 0930-1800 Mon-Fri, 0930-1300 Sat (summer), 0830-1930 (small supermarkets), 0800-2300 (large supermarkets)

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Jan 6 Orthodox Armenian Christmas, Jan 10 Islamic New Year, Jan 19 Ashoura, Feb 9 Feast of St. Maroun, Mar 20 Prophets Birthday, Mar 21 Good Friday, Mar 23 Easter Sunday, Apr 25 Orthodox Good Friday, Apr 27 Orthodox Easter, May 1 Labour Day, May 6 Martyrs Day, Aug 15 Assumption of the Virgin, Oct 13 End of Ramadam, Nov 1 All Saints Day, Nov 22 Independence Day, Dec 9 Feast of the Sacrifice, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 29 Islamic New Year

Business/Social Hints: Many executives speak French and English. On social occasions, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: A service charge is usually added to restaurant & hotel bills. Tips for taxis are not necessary

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, polio, TB*, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Restrictions: Entry & transit is refused to: 1) Holders of passports containing either a valid or expired visa for Israel or any Israeli stamp endorsed on passport 2) Palestinians of the self-ruled regions, unless they have an invitation visa from a Lebanese national at Beirut International Airport

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Syria provided arriving from their home country
2) Holders of Laissez-Passer issued by the Lebanese authorities

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for 6 months on arrival

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Lebanon
2) For stays up to 3 months by nationals of Syria provided they hold a valid passport
3) Nationals of Bahrain, Jorden, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & United Arab Emirates

Notes: Visas will be issued on arrival to:
1) Holders of British passports (does not apply to holders of British National (Overseas) passports)
2) Citizens of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (south), Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan & Venezuela

Air Transit

Required by all except:
1) Those continuing their journey to a third country on the same day, provided holding confirmed onward tickets & documents for next destination
2) There is no hotel accommodation at Beirut Airport & passengers are not permitted to stay overnight at the airport

Exit Permits

Special Notes

Climate

On the coast summers are warm/hot with rather high humidity, winters are mild although rainfall can be heavy. Inland is much drier, mountain summers are fresh and cool and snow can be found on higher peaks between late Dec-Apr

Clothing

Lightweights for summer, warmer clothes are advised during winter, along with rainwear. Heavier clothing for mountain areas

Charts for Beirut

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 17 17 19 22 26 28 31 32 30 27 23 18 Min Temp (C) 11 11 12 14 18 21 23 23 23 21 16 13 Humidity am (%) 72 72 72 72 69 67 66 65 64 65 67 70 Humidity pm (%) 70 70 69 67 64 61 58 57 57 62 61 69 Rainfall (mm) 191 158 94 56 18 3 0 0 5 51 132 185

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

Embassy
Embassy of Lebanon
Consular Section
15-21 Palace Garden Mews
London, W8 4RB
tel: +44 20 7229 7265
fax: +44 20 7243 1699
hours: 0930-1230 (Mon-Fri) lodging, 1400-1530 (Mon-Fri) collection