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LM Report 2001

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LEBANON

Key developments since May 2000: The National Demining Office has identified 1,388 mined areas, including 553 in South Lebanon. A nationwide Level One Landmine Impact Survey was due to start July 2001. From October 1999 to April 2001, the Lebanese Army cleared 23,293 antipersonnel mines, 4,905 antitank mines and numerous other UXO. The Lebanese Army cleared 672,415 square meters of land in 2000 and 154,772 square meters up to April 2001. At least 57 mine awareness education events were conducted between May and December 2000. The United Arab Emirates has pledged $50 million for demining and reconstruction in South Lebanon. Since the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon in May 2000, 132 mine casualties have been recorded.

Mine Ban Policy

Lebanon has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. In January 2001, Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Hammoud, told the UN Secretary-General, “Lebanon is ready to adhere to this convention whenever Israel is adhering.”^[1] Lebanon considers the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon, which took place in May 2000, as incomplete and views UN Resolution 425 as not fulfilled. The Minister stated, “Israel still occupies part of the Lebanese southern land, persists in producing and stockpiling large quantities of mines, has planted one hundred and thirty thousand anti-personnel landmines in Lebanese soil, refrains from signing the convention and from providing the United Nations with the maps identifying the location of these mines in compliance with international laws and covenants.”^[2]

Nonetheless, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Landmine Monitor, “No one believes that antipersonnel mines are vital to the defense or security of the state. They were abrasively used during the Lebanese war with no control.”^[3]

Lebanon did not attend the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in September 2000. While it did not participate in the December 2000 intersessional Standing Committee meetings, for the first time, a representative from Lebanon’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva attended the May 2001 meetings.

Landmine Monitor Report 2000 was registered as a periodical reference report in the Documentary Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lt. Colonel Roland Abou Jawdeh, of the Engineering Group of the Army of Lebanon, said he appreciated the effort made to inquire about the many different and contradicting numbers of landmines and mine victims in Lebanon.^[4] On 11-12 January 2001 Landmine Monitor researchers from the region met in Beirut to prepare the 2001 report. They also participated in a public event coordinated by the Landmines Resource Center in cooperation with the National Demining Office (NDO) of the Lebanese Army and engaged in numerous media interviews.

Following the Israeli withdrawal, several governments have urged Lebanon to join the Mine Ban Treaty, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Several linked their contributions to mine action and reconstruction of the South to Lebanon’s position toward joining the ban treaty.^[5] The European Union, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN Secretary General also called on Lebanon to join the ban. There is heightened interest in the ban treaty by NGOs and media.^[6] On 11 July 2000 the Scouts Federation for Lebanon (grouping 23 associations of more than 20,000 youth) called on the government to join the ban treaty.^[7] In August 2000 Queen Noor of Jordan visited Lebanon and urged the government to join the ban treaty.

Lebanon was one of 22 countries to abstain in voting on the November 2000 UN General Assembly Resolution 55/33V in support of the Mine Ban Treaty. Lebanon has not provided an official explanation of its vote against UNGA Resolution 54/54B in December 1999, which was the first time and only time any country had voted against a pro-mine ban UNGA resolution. Lebanon had voted in favor of pro-ban UNGA resolutions in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

While Lebanon did not attend any of the meetings related to the Convention on Conventional Weapons or Amended Protocol II in 2000 or 2001, Foreign Ministry officials indicate that Lebanon “is looking for the day to join CCW and CCW Amended Protocol II.”^[8]

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling, Use

Lebanon is not known to have ever produced or exported antipersonnel mines. In response to previous allegations, the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon told Landmine Monitor that Iran has not transferred or used landmines on the Lebanese territory, including South Lebanon.^[9]

The Lebanese Army stockpiles an unknown number of antipersonnel mines. It is likely that Syrian forces based in Lebanon stockpile antipersonnel mines. After the Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese media documented the presence of large numbers of landmines, bombs, and shells in the abandoned South Lebanon Army bases.

There have been no confirmed reports of antipersonnel mine use, by any party, in Lebanon since May 2000. There are unconfirmed media reports that Israel planted mines on the established blue line zone and in the Shebaa farms zone.^[10] Israel accused Hezbollah of planting “large quantities” of unmarked and unmapped mines and booby-traps in South Lebanon.^[11]

Hezbollah has stated it has ordered a halt to the use of antipersonnel mines since the Israeli withdrawal, removed more than 1,000 antipersonnel mines in the three days following the withdrawal and placed their stockpiled mines in one location in the South.^[12] All weapons that remained after the Israeli withdrawal, including antipersonnel mines, were reportedly collected by Hezbollah and delivered to the Lebanese Army in a public ceremony on 5 February 2001.

Landmine Problem

Since May 2000, the focus of the landmine problem in Lebanon has been in the South. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) estimates there are 130,000 mines throughout 850 square kilometers of the former occupied zone.^[13] According to the UN Mine Action Coordination Cell (MACC) of UNIFIL, Israel admitted planting 70,000 landmines and 288 booby-trapped devices in the South.^[14]

The bulk of the mines are contained in 108 minefields spread along the border from Ras Naqoura on the coast to opposite Shebaa in the Mount Hermon foothills. Other Israeli mines surround the more than 80 former outposts. While the usefulness of Israeli minefield maps was limited due to the Hebrew language and a different geographic projection system, the map references of each minefield were noted by UNMACC, including the date the minefield was established and the quantity and types of mines planted. For example, UNMACC learned that “between May and June 1994, the Israelis surrounded the Blat outpost in the western sector with 2,012 No. 4a antipersonnel mines.”^[15]

In response to claims made by Lebanon that Israel did not provide maps of minefields after the withdrawal on 24 May 2000, Israel issued a statement in Geneva at the Human Rights Commission in April 2001: “Less than a week after the withdrawal, on 1 June 2000, Israeli Defense Force liaison to the United Nations Forces met with Lt. Col. Mishio of the [UNIFIL] for the purpose of handing over files containing information and maps of mines and clusters laid by IDF. Additional assistance was offered should UNIFIL require it.”^[16] The Lebanese Mission in Geneva issued a subsequent statement to the Human Rights Commission denying the veracity of the Israeli declaration.^[17]

Other than Israeli-planted mines, mines emplaced by Palestinian and Lebanese militias, by the Syrian Army and even by the Vichy French Army during World War II were found in the South after the withdrawal.^[18]

Survey and Assessment

On 11 August 2000, the National Demining Office of the Lebanese Army received the results of a “Survey of the Landmine Problem in the Liberated South” conducted by the Landmines Resource Center at the University of Balamand in July 2000. The survey identified 429 dangerous areas reported by local communities in 196 villages.

At a workshop in January 2001, the National Demining Office presented the results of its survey that indicates 900 mined areas, 344 of which were “cleared” as of January 2001, 229 that are suspected to contain mines, and 327 that are confirmed to have mines. Landmine Monitor understands that the “cleared” areas are not usable, that they need to be re-checked, verified and given a certificate of clearance. The NDO estimates that there are 70,083 antipersonnel mines and 208 antitank mines planted by the Israelis in these areas.^[19]

Information provided by National Demining Office, Lebanese Army (January 2001)

		Mapped Minefields			Fields with No Maps			Total
		Cleared	Suspected	Not cleared	Cleared	Suspected	Not cleared
Beirut	Beirut	20	2	-	16	9	7	54
Mount Lebanon	Baabda	37	32	5	8	3	16	92
	North Metn	68	19	12	7	1	7	114
	Chouf	4	25	32	7	2	-	70
	Aley	50	44	35	16	2	39	186
	Kesserwan	31	18	12	1	-	3	65
	Byblos	13	14	46	4	1	2	80
North Lebanon	Tripoli	-	-	-	-	-	1	1
	Al Koura	-	3	-	2	3	4	12
	Batroun	23	38	32	1	2	7	103
	Akkar	-	-	1	-	-	-	1
	Bsharry	-	-	-	-	-	15	15
South & Nabatieh	Saida	2	1	2	2	1	3	11
	Nabatieh	-	-	2	3	1	3	9
	Bint Jbeil	-	-	4	-	-	1	5
	Tyr	3	-	-	-	-	-	3
	Marjeyoun	1	2	6	-	-	1	10
	Hasbayya	8	2	4	-	-	-	14
	Jezzine	3	6	6	2	-	5	22
Bekaa	West Bekaa	8	3	6	1	2	2	22
	Baalbeck	-	1	-	-	-	-	1
	Rashayya	2	1	3	1	-	3	10
Total		273	202	208	71	27	119	900

On 21 May 2001, the National Demining Office presented some updated information on mined areas in the country, indicating 1,388 mined areas. The main differences in the two sets of data are significantly higher totals for mined areas in South Lebanon and Nabatieh – 553 identified mined areas instead of 74.

Information provided by National Demining Office, Lebanese Army (May 2001)

		Number of identified mined areas
Beirut		54
	Beirut	54
Mount Lebanon		611
	Baabda	92
	Metn	114
	Chouf	71
	Aley	188
	Kesrwan	65
	Jbeil	81
North Lebanon		132
	Tripoli	1
	Koura	12
	Batroun	103
	Akkar	1
	Bcharre	15
	Minnia Donniya
	Zghorta
South Lebanon & Nabatieh		553
	Saida	16
	Nabatieh	77
	Bent Jbeil	129
	Tyr/Sour	82
	Marjeyoun	111
	Hasbayya	21
	Jezzine	117
Bekaa		38
	Zahleh
	Baableck	1
	Rashayya	10
	West Bekaa	27
	Hermel
Total		1,388

The NDO is finalizing a memorandum of understanding on a nationwide Level One Landmine Impact Survey, which will be conducted by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in conjunction with the Survey Action Center (SAC), and funded by the European Union (E.U.). The survey is due to start in September 2001. In addition, MAG will be starting a Technical Survey of the UNIFIL Area of Operations, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Voluntary Trust Fund.^[20]

Mine Action Funding

Since May 2000, funding for mine action has shifted to the South and new funding sources have become available. On 21 May 2001, the United Arab Emirate’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohamed Omran, formally announced a $50 million donation to redevelop South Lebanon, including funding for mine clearance.^[21] On 19 April 2001, a military team from the UAE visited South Lebanon to conduct a field assessment mission for this project.^[22] In June 2001, the UN noted that a Memorandum of Understanding between Lebanon and the UAE “is being prepared to facilitate effective implementation of mine-action activities in the South utilizing the UAE $50 million contribution.”^[23]

An International Support Group has been proposed to coordinate mine action donor support in Lebanon, with the Lebanese government and the UN as co-chairs.^[24]

Between May 2000 and February 2001, funding, including in-kind contributions, totaling some US$6 million for mine action in Lebanon was provided by Canada, E.U., Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, UK and the US.^[25] On 21-22 May 2001 Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense and the National Demining Office organized a workshop attended by nineteen mine action donors entitled “High Level International Workshop to Demine Lebanon Starting from the South.”

From July to December 2000 Sweden contributed $2 million to mine clearance in South Lebanon by UNIFIL.^[26] Forty-five soldiers were funded and about 1,000 mines were cleared during this time. Sweden also provided $23,000 to Rädda Barnen in 2000 for mine awareness work in South Lebanon.

The United States, in its fiscal year 2000 (October 1999-September 2000), contributed $1.366 million to mine action in Lebanon. This funding supported NDO’s mine clearance activities and the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF) for mine awareness education.^[27] The US contributed 18 mine detecting dogs (six of the dogs were a gift from the non-governmental Humpty Dumpty Institute), six of which arrived in late February 2001.^[28] At the High Level International Workshop to Demine Lebanon starting from the South on 21 May 2001, the US announced a donation of $3 million to be spent over a three-year period for the WRF to support an income-generating program for landmine victims in the Jezzine (South) area.

The UK contributed 550,000 Sterling Pounds (US$765,000) to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) program for Lebanon, of which 120,000 Sterling Pounds ($167,000) was allocated to UNICEF for mine awareness programs.^[29] The EU, through ECHO, is currently supporting MAG’s demining and training program in South Lebanon with a six-month grant of 500,000 Euro (US$427,350). The EU has indicated it will continue to fund MAG’s demining project and will fund the Level One Landmine Impact Survey in Lebanon to be conducted by MAG, which has a budget of $1.5 million.^[30] The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided MAG with 25,000 Sterling Pounds in summer of 2001 to support its Nabatieh-based mine action team operation.^[31]

In July 2000, Italy donated five mine detectors at a cost of approximately $10,000 each. In January 2001, Italy provided $250,000 for the purchase of demining equipment.^[32] At the May 2001 workshop, Italy confirmed its donation of $250,000 to the Italian NGO Assobon for a 33-day demining contract.

Norway and the UN Voluntary Trust Fund will support MAG’s technical survey in the South with a contribution of $250,000 each.^[33] Norway also granted $284,000 for a victim assistance program operated by NPA.^[34]

Canada has contributed $135,000 for mine clearance and surveying.^[35]

France reports contributing $128,388 to UNMAS activities. An officer from the Lebanese Army Engineers attended a two-week training in France in June 2001

In November 2000, Germany donated $53,000 in equipment including ten deminer’s tool sets, ten VHM1 Vallon metal detectors and twelve mine protection suits (including a visor, two trauma kits, and 100 mine markers).^[36] During a visit to Lebanon in May 2001, Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced a donation of Aus$100,000 (US$52,000).^[37] The UNDP provided $15,000 to WRF for an income-generating project for landmine survivors in West Bekaa and Rashayya, in which survivors operate four kiosks under the supervision of a local non-governmental organization.^[38]

About 200 Syrian soldiers are involved in demining activities with the Lebanese Army.^[39]

Spain conducted a demining training program in Spain with the assistance of Russian experts for a team from the Lebanese Army’s Engineering Group from 16 April to 25 May 2001. Ukraine provided 70 deminers in its contingent of engineers that joined UNIFIL on 20 July 2000.

Russia, Pakistan, and Egypt have indicated a willingness to undertake or support mine clearance in Lebanon.^[40]

Mine Action Coordination

Mine action in Lebanon is coordinated by the National Demining Office of the Lebanese Army. The NDO has announced its intention to establish a “Southern Coordination Center” in the south, possibly in Tyre.^[41] The UNDP is seeking $4,012,000 for an unspecified time period for the provision of institutional support and quality assurance to the NDO, to fund MAG’s mine clearance program and for the Level One Impact Survey.^[42]

On 19 June 2000 following Israel’s withdrawal, the UN Mine Action Coordination Cell (MACC) was established within UNIFIL to coordinate the mine action response in the South and support UNIFIL in its operational objectives.^[43] The MACC is based in Tyre and has three staff persons.^[44] It has developed a database of mined areas using the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), which will subsequently be handed over to Lebanese authorities. Its budget for the period from June 2000 to December 2001 is approximately $1 million.

Mine Clearance

The Lebanese Army conducts mine clearance. The Mines Advisory Group is the only international NGO with a memorandum of understanding with the NDO to undertake mine clearance. UNIFIL does some emergency clearance.

From October 1999 to April 2001, the Lebanese Army cleared 23,293 antipersonnel mines, 4,905 antitank mines and numerous other unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the entire country.

Lebanese Army mine clearance for the whole country

(13 October 1999-27 April 2001)

Antipersonnel Mines	23,293
Antitank Mines	4,905
UXO	43,847
“Strange Objects”	3,838
Different war related munitions	38,810

From May 2000 to May 2001, the Lebanese Army cleared 3,667 antipersonnel mines, 1,182 antitank mines and numerous other UXO in West Bekaa and South Lebanon.

Lebanese Army mine clearance in West Bekaa and South Lebanon^[45]

(26 May 2000-13 May 2001)

Antipersonnel Mines	3,667
Antitank Mines	1,182
UXO	3,425
Different war related munitions	20,900
Booby-traps	24
Cluster Bombs	399
IEDs	26
Rockets	12
Luminous mines	23

From January 1998 to April 2001, the Lebanese Army cleared 1,831,146 square meters of land, including 672,415 square meters in 2000 and 154,772 square meters up to April 2001.

Total Surface Area Cleared of Mines and UXO by the Lebanese Army

(1 January 1998 to 4 April 2001)

Year	Area Cleared (square meters)
1998	289,395
1999	714,564
2000	672,415
2001	154,772
Total	1,831,146

From 18 July 2000 to 1 January 2001, UNIFIL cleared approximately 2,159 mines and UXO in South Lebanon.^[46]

MAG began a humanitarian mine clearance program based in Nabatieh in December 2000, training 12 local deminers in landmine clearance and EOD skills. Training was completed at the end of April 2001 and MAG’s Mine Action Team began their first live operation in May 2001. As of 14 July the team had cleared 951 square meters of land and disposed of 102 mines and 24 UXO. MAG plans to train and deploy a second Mine Action Team in autumn 2001.^[47]

The Italian association Assobon worked for 33 days in May and June 2001 in Tayr Harfa in a mine-affected area selected by the Army. They cleared 200 antipersonnel mines.^[48]

Mine Awareness Education^[49]

Following Israel’s withdrawal, mine awareness education increased in mine-affected areas in the South. Under the auspices of the National Demining Office, the Landmines Resource Center (LMRC), WRF, ICRC, Rädda Barnen, the Lebanese Red Cross, UNICEF, UNESCO and other local organizations and international NGO have engaged in a number of mine awareness activities, including emergency interventions. At least 57 mine awareness education events were conducted between May and December 2000 in schools and in local communities in almost every village or cluster of villages in the South and in West Bekaa. Mine awareness education training workshops were conducted for scouts, public school teachers, social workers and Lebanese Red Cross volunteers and staff, among others. A national committee, headed by the LMRC, was established to coordinate the mine awareness activities by NGOs and others at the community level and to unify mine awareness messages. The committee meets on a regular basis at the NDO.

Following the Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah launched a mine awareness campaign using all their media outlets.^[50] Hezbollah-affiliated social welfare institutions, including health care centers, and schools joined the National Awareness Campaign. Social workers from the Islamic Health Council and associated civil defense groups participated in the mine awareness education training workshops.^[51]

On Liberation Day (25 May 2001), a drawing contest for children in the public schools in the South was held to evaluate the level of knowledge of the students, who had received mine awareness education. On Liberation Day, all newspapers and local TV covered activities on landmines.

The ICRC supports mine/UXO awareness projects of the Lebanese Red Cross primarily through training for mine awareness staff and volunteers. The 12 ICRC-trained mine awareness instructors are training Lebanese Red Cross volunteers at field level. In 2000 Red Cross volunteers visited 82 villages and 58 schools, where they sensitized 4,914 children. They also organized two summer camps for 360 children in Houla and Rmeish during which a special song about mines was prepared by the children.^[52]

The ICRC has produced a mine awareness training manual and general curriculum for mine awareness instructors, and a mine awareness school curriculum, all of which have been translated into Arabic. The ICRC financed, in cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross and in coordination with the National Demining Office, the production of 5,000 posters, 100,000 leaflets in comic strip form, and 50,000 pocket calendars. Some 150,000 mine awareness leaflets and 100,000 stickers were also produced for children by the Lebanese Red Cross. The items were used and distributed in villages, schools, medical/social centers, first-aid centers, mobile clinics, shops, roads leading to former military positions, etc. In cooperation with the National Demining Office, the ICRC financed the production of 220 warning signs, to be used for marking dangerous areas, which were placed by the Lebanese army in mine-infested areas in the South.^[53]

Landmine Casualties

LMRC continues to record landmine victims in Lebanon through its network of NGO contacts. In July 2000, it also undertook a new survey of victims in the South.^[54] The survey identified 600 casualties in addition to 2,493 casualties reported in a previous survey in 1998-1999.^[55] In 2000, 113 mine casualties were recorded by the LMRC, including 99 survivors and 14 dead. From 1 January to 6 June 2001, 35 mine casualties were recorded by the LMRC, including 32 survivors and 3 dead: all of these incidents took place in the South except for four, which occurred in West Bekaa and in the north. As of 19 June 2001, the total number of mine casualties in South Lebanon since the Israeli withdrawal was 132, including 117 survivors and 15 deaths.

In 2000 and 2001 most of the recorded incidents occurred in fields near villages or on main roads and all of the casualties were male, of which thirty were 16-years-old or younger. Of the survivors, 24 lost one or more limbs. These amputees will most likely be cared for either by the NGOs working with the NPA victims’ assistance program or by the Council for the South.

Survivor Assistance ^[56]

Military victims receive assistance through the Army and the public sector. NGOs remain the main source of rehabilitative services for civilian mine victims. The Kiosk program, an income-generation project for the disabled, was launched in Rashayya and West Bekaa by the WRF. Norwegian People’s Aid continues to provide rehabilitation services and assistive devices to the injured and disabled in West Bekaa. At the beginning of 2001, NPA launched a new landmine victim assistance program in the South, in cooperation with three local partners and in consultation with the NDO.^[57]

A number of rehabilitation professionals and experts in Lebanon organize activities to discuss best practices. In August 2000 the LMRC, WRF, and other concerned NGOs conducted workshops on victim assistance and developed guidelines for the rehabilitation team. In April 2000, the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (IPSO) organized a workshop on the use of carbon fiber material in prosthetic rehabilitation of mine related amputations and in April 2001, ISPO held another workshop on silicon techniques.

In the year 2000, the Ministry of Health stopped providing prosthetic services due to a lack of funds. All other medical services for the disabled in Lebanon are provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which subsidizes 80% of the hospital bill for all Lebanese citizens. Army health and rehabilitative services serve military victims.

On 25 May 2000, the “Access and Rights of the Disabled” law was approved by the Parliament and passed. The law has 143 decrees asserting the rights of the disabled with respect to health care, education, employment, recreational activities, independent life, transportation, and exemption from taxation. Landmine survivors are included in the disabled population protected by this law. The law was approved after a campaign by the National Council of the Disabled and other concerned NGOs.

^[1] Letter of the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Hammoud to H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: No 11/C.M. Beirut, 22 January 2001.
^[2] Ibid.
^[3] Interview with official at Documentary Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beirut, 4 January 2001.
^[4] Interview with Lt. Colonel Roland Abou Jawdeh, Engineering Group, Army of Lebanon, 28 October 2000.
^[5] See “Summary of Day One,” document from a workshop hosted by Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense and the National Demining Office of the Lebanese Army in collaboration with UN agencies (UNDP, UN MACC, UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO), entitled “High Level International Workshop to Demine Lebanon Starting from the South,” 21-22 May 2001; Letter to Landmine Monitor from the UK Embassy in Lebanon, 26 January 2001; Interviews with officials at Missions of Canada and Norway to Lebanon, Beirut, 27 March 2001.
^[6] Suzan Abi Aad, “Landmines in Lebanon,” Al Safir (daily newspaper), 7 June 2000; Monaliza Freyha, “Landmines in Lebanon,” Annahar (daily newspaper), 5 August 2000; Al Gazira (national TV station), August 2000.
^[7] Hassan Bahmad, “Landmines – A continuing tragedy,” Al Kifah Al Arabi magazine, 17-25 July 2000.
^[8] Interview with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Archive Department, Beirut, 10 January 2001.
^[9] Letter to Landmine Monitor from the Embassy of Iran, 1 February 2001.
^[10] See for example, Claudia Msharrafieh, “Landmine Problem in the South,” Al Mustakbal (newspaper), 21 June 2000. The UN “blue line” distinguishes the border between Lebanon and Israel/Occupied Palestine. “Shebaa ” is a border village that Lebanon considers to still be occupied by Israel.
^[11] Note Verbale dated 5 April 2001 from the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, Geneva, addressed to the Secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2001/154), 11 April 2001. It is unclear if the statement included alleged use after the May 2000 withdrawal.
^[12] Television interview with Sheikh Naim Kassem, vice president of Hezbollah, Tele Liban, 6 June 2000.
^[13] Ukranian spokesperson, UNIFIL.
^[14] Interview with Greg Lindstrom, Project Manager, UN MACC, Naqoura, 18 January 2001.
^[15] Nicholas Blandford, “Landmines in the South,” Daily Star, 18 January 2001.
^[16] Note Verbale dated 5 April 2001 from the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN Office in Geneva addressed to the Secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2001/154), 11 April 2001.
^[17] Interview with Johnny Ibrahim, First Secretary, Lebanese Permanent Mission to the UN, Geneva, 10 May 2001.
^[18] Nicholas Blandford, “Landmines in the South,” Daily Star, 18 January 2001.
^[19] Intervention by the National Demining Office, “The Landmine Problem and the Lebanese Army needs and achievements,” Beirut, 11 January 2001.
^[20] Email from Tim Carstairs, Director of Communications, Mines Advisory Group, 18 July 2001.
^[21] UN Department of Public Information, “International workshop urges rapid demining in Lebanon,” 21 May 2001.
^[22] Articles published in Al Hayat and Al Sharq Al Awsat (Lebanese newspapers), 20 April 2000.
^[23] “UNMAS Monthly Update,” Number 5, June 2001.
^[24] United Nations, “Portfolio of Mine-related Projects,” April 2001, p. 164.
^[25] Lebanese Government Press Release, 22 January 2001.
^[26] Letter from the Embassy of Sweden to Lebanon, Beirut, 25 January 2001.
^[27] US Department of State, Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs, “Demining Program Financing History,” 24 October 2000. Previously, the US provided the bulk of mine action funding in Lebanon, with nearly $2.8 million spent on training, equipment, funding of mine awareness, and support to the NDO.
^[28] US Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “Public-Private Partnership Sends Landmine-sniffing Dogs to Lebanon,” 27 November 2000.
^[29] Letter from the British Embassy, Beirut, 26 January 2001. Elsewhere, the UK government has reported funding of $480,186 for Lebanon (see LM country report).
^[30] Interview with Vincent Depaigne, EU Representative, Beirut, 22 January 2001.
^[31] Email from Tim Carstairs, Communications Director, MAG, 18 July 2001.
^[32] Press Release from the Italian Embassy, 15 January 2001.
^[33] Email from Tim Carstairs, Communications Director, MAG, 18 July 2001.
^[34] Presentation by NPA, Beirut, 11 January 2001. Elsewhere, the Norwegian government has reported funding of $324,000 for Lebanon (see Landmine Monitor country report).
^[35] Interview with Laos Arendas, Embassy of Canada, Beirut, 22 January 2001.
^[36] Interview with official at German Embassy, Beirut, 9 January 2001. Elsewhere, the German government has reported funding of $177,368 for Lebanon (see Landmine Monitor country report).
^[37] Email from Benn Barr, AusAID, 4 July 2001.
^[38] Interview with Dr. Nasser Bu Lteif, Project Director, Bekaa, 23 January 2001.
^[39] Interview with Col. Roland Abou Jaoudeh, Beirut, 3 July 2001.
^[40] Statement by Lt. Colonel Takiyyedine Tannir during meeting at NDO, 21 February 2001. Interview with Mouhammad Najm Akbar, Embassy of Pakistan, Beirut, 21 January 2001.
^[41] “UNMAS Monthly Update,” Number 5, June 2001.
^[42] United Nations, “Portfolio of Mine-related Projects,” April 2001, p. 168-170.
^[43] Ibid, pp. 165-167.
^[44] Interview with Greg Lindstrom, Project Manager, UN MACC, Beirut, 11 December 2000.
^[45] Presentation by General Sawaya, Director, NDO, 21 May 2001.
^[46] UNIFIL Press Release, 15 January 2001.
^[47] Email from Tim Carstairs, Communications Director, MAG, 18 July 2001.
^[48] Interview with Fabrizio Gensini, Program Manager, Assobon, Beirut, 28 June 2001.
^[49] Information in this section is provided by the Landmines Resource Center, University of Balamand.
^[50] Manar TV, Al Nour radio and Al Jihad newspaper.
^[51] Seventeen social workers attended four training workshops from 18 September to 24 November 2000.
^[52] Information provided by Isabelle Daoust of ICRC, Geneva, email 11 July 2001.
^[53] Ibid.
^[54] The network met regularly at the World Rehabilitation Fund from August 1998 to late 2000, but since then, due to a lack of funds, networking is more limited.
^[55] The 1998-1999 survey excluded the occupied territories at the time.
^[56] Information in this section is provided by the Landmines Resource Center, University of Balamand.
^[57] Information provided by NPA by email, 27 and 31 July 2001.

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