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Lebanon Pound
Lebanon uses the Lebanese pound as its currency. Each pound is then divided into 100 qirsh, which can also be referred to as piastres. However, this is a theoretical division, since the qirsh is now of so little worth that it is no longer in use.
The Bank of Lebanon, Banque du Liban, issues the currency and it is only available in larger denominations. So coins come in the form of 50, 100, 250 and 500 pounds, with notes available in 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 pounds.
On international markets the pound is shown as LBP.
Sometimes you may hear the Lebanese pound referred to as the Lebanese lira, but they are one and the same currency, so don't be confused, it is just another name for the same currency.
History of the Lebanese Pound
The Lebanese pound came into use in 1939. Until that point, following French control of both Syria and Lebanon, the currency used had been the Syrian pound, which was linked to the French franc. In 1939, the two countries separated in terms of currency and Libya was able to produce its own money, although it still maintained its links to the French franc. But in 1941, after France was occupied by Germany, the decision was taken to link the pound to the British pound. After the war, the link back to the French franc was re-established, but thus was never really successful and as a result it was abandoned in 1949.
Inflation and the Lebanese Pound
Inflation is now under some semblance of control in Lebanon, with it averaging just under 6%, but as the prices of oil and food start to rise globally, it is likely that inflation may start to creep upwards.
Inflation really has been a problem in Lebanon and to give some idea of how devalued the currency really is, in 1975 it took 3 pounds to buy 1 US dollar. It now takes over 1507 to buy just one single US dollar, so get used to thinking about big numbers if you are considering a trip to Lebanon! The numbers involved can often be difficult to come to grips with, simply because they are so large!
Getting Hold of Lebanese Pounds
There is a widespread network of ATM machines available in Lebanon, so it is relatively easy to get hold of cash, although in some of the small towns or villages there will be no ATMs, nor will credit cards be accepted, so if you are going to anywhere that is a bit remote, always plan to have some cash with you.
One thing you will find however, is that US dollars can be used almost anywhere in Lebanon. There is no problem getting them accepted.
Traveller's cheques can be cashed at banks or even at hotels/large shops, but the reality is that if you cash them at a hotel or shop, you will get a poor exchange rate, so it is always worth cashing them in for cash first.
Credit or debit cards can be used throughout Lebanon, but this may not be easy in the small towns and villages or may simply be a hassle if you want to buy some small purchases and you will probably pay significant fees on top, so try to take enough cash with you to see you through any trips to the countryside (with the exception of hotels, which generally will all accept credit cards).
Safety Issues
Lebanon is not a safe country. Since 1973 there has been an ongoing war/conflict with Israel with whom it is in dispute. The politics of the situation are complex and sensitive, requiring a historical analysis that is again, quite complex, but for further information, check out the Background Notes from the US Dept of State: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35833.htm to learn more about the conflict that has blighted both these countries for a great many years.
However, the fact that this ongoing conflict shows no sign of reaching a meaningful and lasting settlement, is relevant for anyone who wishes to travel to the Lebanon.
In the first instance if you do want to travel to the Lebanon and you have an Israeli stamp in your passport, then you could immediately be arrested and imprisoned. There is little dispute on this issue; if you have been to Israel, unless you can demonstrate need for travel to this country, then you are not a welcome visitor to Lebanon.
Secondly, the conflict is relevant because as of 2008, most nations are warning their citizens that they should not travel to Lebanon, unless it is absolutely necessary.
If the purpose of your visit is not absolutely vital then you simply should not go! Southern Lebanon is not considered a safe destination for tourists. The northern part of Lebanon does have some travellers and it has some tourist facilities, so if you are absolutely desperate to visit Lebanon, then this may be the best place to consider.
Beirut, which has long since been a symbol for the conflict that has taken place, is situated in Southern Lebanon and car bombings are particularly common in Beirut as well as other parts of Lebanon. Between February 2005 and July 2008, there were 15 car bombings in Lebanon, with 10 fatalities and 121 people wounded, so the risks are very real and there is no way of knowing when violence will take place.
In particular Americans and to some extent British people are at particular risk due to the fact that the Americans are seen to be pro-Israeli in the whole conflict and the British are often seen as the US representatives in Europe. So if you are British or American, then you should seriously consider your need to travel to Lebanon.
Unfortunately, if you are Jewish, have a Jewish name, or even have a Jewish sounding name, then you should also be very careful about travelling to this area, since you may be arrested or at the very least questioned and to some extent, travelling here really is not worth the risk.
The area nearest to Israel, known as South Lebanon, is the most dangerous place in Lebanon to visit. The north is considered dangerous, but much less so than the south.
Travel to the north only is possible, although still not without risk. It is interesting, due to the fact that it has a very mountainous and rugged terrain which also has a ski resort at The Cedars. This area is more equipped for tourists and it is possible to have a trip there, without losing life or limb.
However, there is another facet to travelling to Beirut that should be taken into consideration. Whilst it is possible to visit Northern Beirut and be safe, if the numbers of people venturing to this area start to increase dramatically, then it is likely that the north will also be seen as somewhere that the extremists should target in order to achieve maximum publicity, so there is a risk that car bombings will also increase in this area.
As a result, it is probably better to avoid the whole of the country, just to err on the side of caution and being sensitive to the fact that although some parts of the country are relatively peaceful, the more travellers who come to the 'peaceful parts' the more likely further conflict will follow as well.
Unfortunately a car bomb that kills several locals will achieve a few lines of publicity throughout the West, but if a car bomb kills 5 Europeans and 5 US citizens, then publicity will be widespread. So there is a real 'pay off' for the extremists and this is another reason why travellers are discouraged from visiting Beirut. Inadvertently they can act like oxygen for extremists.
Conflict Resolution?
The situation in Lebanon and particularly in Southern Lebanon, is simply so entrenched in hatred and bitterness (from all parties) that a resolution to the conflict seems to be unlikely, unless there is a dramatic shift in how all parties involved think and think about each other.
There are many people in Lebanon and Israel who are now bringing up their own families, who have never known peace. As a result, it is more difficult to achieve peace, since they have lived their whole lives in conflict and now their children are being brought up in exactly the same conditions.
Efforts have been made, on various different levels to achieve peace and restore some sense of normality to the countries involved for some time now, but the successes have generally, been quite shortlived.
However, until Lebanon manages to achieve some kind of peace it remains a country that it is probably best not to visit.
Overview
Despite the risks involved with travelling to Lebanon, the Lebanese tourist board is attempting to revive the tourist industry, declaring itself to be the 'Switzerland' of the Middle East.
Yet, when given due consideration, the fact remains that encouraging travel to this country undoubtedly increases the potential for conflict to escalate to the north. It is almost as if the violence may follow travellers, thereby travellers can increase the risks, not decrease them.
It is also a country, that when stability and settlement has been reached, also needs time to heal itself and work through the effects that decades of conflict have wreaked upon it.
So whilst some parts of the country are safer than others, travel is not recommended and since most governments are advising people to 'stay away' if you do venture to Lebanon, you may well find that you are completely on your own, if something goes wrong!
This is important, because extremist activity does not have any boundaries: it may well take different forms and so if you were kidnapped, then you would need specific help and 'consular activity' that may be less forthcoming from your government, if they have specifically advised against travel in the first instance!
Consequently, if you are considering travel to Lebanon, check out whether or not it is safe to travel there and what your government advises, before you finalise any details of your trip.
Comment
How naïve am I? I didn’t realise the British pound wasn’t the only pound in the world.
Maybe it is because the Lebanon isn’t a desirable place to visit, as this article makes clear. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere where I could be a target, and who could blame me?
It is still interesting to read about these places though, even if you know you will never visit them. I had no idea just how dangerous this area was though – I mean, we read about the bombings but to get stopped or arrested just because they take a dislike to your surname?
— Kate · May 26, 04:54 PM · #
Wow – another pound! This is obviously very different from the British pound though because it has qirsh as its denominations instead of pence. Although much like the reader above, I didn’t even know this currency existed until I read this article.
I used to think it was the lira but now I know they are both the same. Just goes to show how confusing the currency markets can be if you aren’t aware of all the changes and differences there are in them. Why can’t a currency be known just by the one name? It would make life a lot easier.
— JamieK · Dec 18, 05:06 PM · #