President Emile Lahhud

President: Gen Emile Lahhud

Gen Emile Lahhud was born on 12 January 1936, the son of Gen Jamil Lahhud, who played a role in the creation of the Lebanese army and in Lebanon's struggle for independence.

He became commander of the First Fleet in 1968 and held various posts in the army between 1970 and 1983, when he was appointed head of the Military Office in the Ministry of Defence. As army commander-in-chief from 1989-98, he rebuilt the force, which had been weakened by the civil war, into a well-organised non-sectarian body.

When he became president in November 1998 he met with general approval, being regarded as a nationalist and an enemy of corruption.

Country Profile: Lebanon

One of the most complex and divided countries in the region, for the past three decades Lebanon has been on the fringes, and at times at the heart, of the Middle East conflict surrounding the creation of Israel.

A small, mountainous country, Lebanon was under French mandate until independence in 1943. Its population is a mixture of various Christian sects, Sunni Muslims, Shi'i Muslims, Druze and others, having been a refuge for the region's persecuted minorities.

Government structures are divided between the various groups. The country has also seen several large influxes of Palestinian refugees, most of whom still have limited legal status.

LEBANON FACTS
Population: 3.6 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Beirut
Major language: Arabic
Major religion:Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Lebanese pound (£L) = 100 piastres
Main exports: Foodstuffs and tobacco
Annual average income: US $4,010 (World Bank, 2001)
Internet domain:.lb
International dialling code: +961