total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 14 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2004)
Government
Latvia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Riga
geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles
Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons,
Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons,
Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas
Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons,
Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons,
Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu
Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*,
Ventspils Rajons
Independence:
18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was
the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4
May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August
1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the
Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991;
multiple amendments since
Legal system:
based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions
and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since 20 December
2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
appointed by Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next
to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president,
confirmed by Parliament
election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary
vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by
proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL
16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 7%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party -
TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note -
seats by party as of February 2008 - TP 21, ZZS 17, SC 17, JL 14,
LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 6, independents 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament);
Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by
Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars
GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs
PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National
Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS];
Harmony Center or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]; Latvian
Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris
BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; New
Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE,
Krisjanis KARINS]; People's Party or TP [Aigars KALVITIS]; The Union
of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)
[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO,
NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles LARSON Jr.
embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE
09723
telephone: [371] 670-36200
FAX: [371] 678-20047
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and
maroon
Economy
Latvia
Economy - overview:
Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year
during 2006-07. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate
have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes
in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade
Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy
goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit - more than 22%
of GDP in 2007 - and inflation - at nearly 10% per year - remain
major concerns.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$40.05 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$27.34 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.3% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$17,700 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 22%
services: 74.7% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
1.167 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 29.1% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.7 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
32.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $10.47 billion
expenditures: $10.29 billion (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Public debt:
7.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.91% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$8.196 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.113 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$27.56 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs;
fish
Industries:
buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers,
agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note -
dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Industrial production growth rate:
5.4% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
4.734 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
6.424 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
1.676 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
4.671 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 29.1%
hydro: 70.9%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
35,180 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
10,070 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
45,340 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
2.04 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
2.04 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Current account balance:
-$6.231 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$8.143 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles,
foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Lithuania 15.1%, Estonia 13.8%, Russia 13%, Germany 8.3%, Sweden
7.4%, UK 6.5% (2007)
Imports:
$14.82 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners:
Germany 15.1%, Lithuania 13.8%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 8%, Poland
6.9%, Finland 5.1%, Sweden 4.9% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$162 million (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.758 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$33.53 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$8.62 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$699 million (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.705 billion (2006)
Currency (code):
lat (LVL)
Currency code:
LVL
Exchange rates:
lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647
(2005), 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003)
Communications
Latvia
Telephones - main lines in use:
644,000 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.217 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition
to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is
decreasing as wireless telephone service expands
domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly
since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100
persons
international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now
connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden
(2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:
1.76 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:
1.22 million (1997)
Internet country code:
.lv
Internet hosts:
220,082 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
41 (2001)
Internet users:
1.177 million (2007)
Transportation
Latvia
Airports:
42 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 9 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 21
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 20 (2007)
Pipelines:
gas 948 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2007)
Railways:
total: 2,303 km
broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:
total: 69,675 km
paved: 69,675 km (2006)
Waterways:
300 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 22
by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 2,
passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Estonia 2)
registered in other countries: 118 (Antigua and Barbuda 13, Belize
12, Cambodia 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Jamaica 1,
Liberia 21, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 16, Panama 8, Russia 2, Saint
Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Riga, Ventspils
Military
Latvia
Military branches:
National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy
(Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)),
Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home
Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription
abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled
to serve in the armed forces for life (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 568,683
females age 16-49: 565,826 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 412,849
females age 16-49: 468,827 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 14,506
female: 13,982 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues
Latvia
Disputes - international:
Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian
insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing
Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands
better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January
2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete
and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the
Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary
treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil
exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's
external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border
rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs,
opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin
America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved
legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent
enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of
offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime
(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and
prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Lebanon
Introduction
Lebanon
Background:
Following the capture of Syria from the Ottoman Empire by
Anglo-French forces in 1918, France received a mandate over this
territory and separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920. France
granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war
(1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made
progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the
Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the
Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly
by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while
institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the
end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections.
Most militias have been disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) have extended authority over about two-thirds of the country.
Hizballah, a radical Shia organization listed by the US State
Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, retains its weapons.
During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if
Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly
east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from
southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in October 2004 of
UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon
and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some
Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well.
The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 20
others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut
against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria
withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In
May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since
the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a
majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's
son. Lebanon continues to be plagued by violence - Hizballah
kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in July 2006 leading to a 34-day
conflict with Israel. The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni
extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian
refugee camp; and the country has witnessed a string of politically
motivated assassinations since the death of Rafiq HARIRI. Lebanese
politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to
Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political
vacuum until the election of Army Commander Michel SULAYMAN in May
2008 and the formation of a new cabinet in July 2008.
Geography
Lebanon
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and
Syria
Geographic coordinates:
33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 10,400 sq km
land: 10,230 sq km
water: 170 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 454 km
border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline:
225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers;
Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and
Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m
Natural resources:
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit
region, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16.35%
permanent crops: 13.75%
other: 69.9% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,040 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
4.8 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.38 cu km/yr (33%/1%/67%)
per capita: 385 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in
Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes;
pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life
Conservation
Geography - note:
Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an
international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,
protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,
clan, and ethnicity
People
Lebanon
Population:
3,971,941 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 526,994/female 505,894)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,275,021/female 1,380,131)
65 years and over: 7.1% (male 128,002/female 155,899) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 28.8 years
male: 27.6 years
female: 30 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.154% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
17.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
6.06 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.59 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 25.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.41 years
male: 70.91 years
female: 76.04 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.87 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,800 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups:
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but
rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be
called Phoenicians
Religions:
Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri),
Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic,
Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant),
other 1.3%
note: 17 religious sects recognized
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 93.1%
female: 82.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2006)
Government
Lebanon
Country name:
conventional long form: Lebanese Republic
conventional short form: Lebanon
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form: Lubnan
former: Greater Lebanon
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Beirut
geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakar,
Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa, Beyrouth, Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban,
Nabatiye
Independence:
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French
administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution:
23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of
Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989
Legal system:
mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law;
no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at
age 21 with elementary education
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (as of 25 May 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA (since 30 June
2005); Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since April 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with
the president and members of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year
term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May
2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime
minister appointed by the president in consultation with the
National Assembly
election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National
Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee
Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on
the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005
(next to be held in spring 2009)
election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group -
Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development and
Resistance Bloc 15; Free Patriotic Movement 15; Loyalty to the
Resistance 14; Qornet Shehwan 6; Lebanese Forces 5; Popular Bloc 4;
Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Syrian
National Socialist Party 2; Tashnaq 2; Syrian Ba'th Party 1;
Democratic Left 1; Democratic Renewal Movement 1; Kataeb Party 1;
Nasserite Popular Movement 1; independent 4
Judicial branch:
four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial
cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council
(called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws);
Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime
minister as needed)
Political parties and leaders:
14 March Coalition: Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT,
leader of Progressive Socialist Party]; Democratic Left [Ilyas
ATALLAH]; Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD]; Future
Movement Bloc [Sa'ad HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL]; Lebanese
Forces [Samir JA'JA]; Tripoli Independent Bloc
8 March Coalition: Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI,
leader of Amal Movement]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN];
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah
Party [Hassan NASRALLAH]); Nasserite Popular Movement [Ussama SAAD];
Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF]; Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR]; Syrian
Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO]
Independent: Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]; Tashnaq
Political pressure groups and leaders: