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Lebanon

Last Updated: 17 December 2012

Mine Action

Contamination and Impact

Lebanon is contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) as a legacy of 15 years of civil conflict that ended in 1990. The July–August 2006 invasion by Israel resulted in heavy new contamination from cluster munition remnants in southern Lebanon.[1] A serious residual threat also results from landmines. Remaining landmine and cluster munition contamination is said to affect 565 towns and more than 900,000 people, or approximately one in five of the population.[2]

Mines

Based on the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) conducted in 2002–2003 and revised estimates by the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), 161.8km2 of land was suspected to be mined.[3] By May 2012, national non-technical survey (NTS) had reduced the estimated size of mined areas (not including the UN-delineated Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon) to 12.3km2 and the remaining dangerous areas (which comprise booby-traps and “nuisance” mines) to 2km2.[4] Affected areas are in Batroun, Chouf, Jbeil, and Jezzine; north of the Litani river; in the Bekaa valley; and across Mount Lebanon. Along the 118km-long Blue Line, the estimated contaminated area lies across 890 mined areas covering a further 7.41km2.[5] A further 361 potential tasks covering 29.34km2, where some clearance occurred after the LIS, have not yet been surveyed.

As of May 2012, no mined areas resulting from events in Syria had been found in Lebanon and no casualties from these events had occurred in Lebanon according to the LMAC.[6] However, a 13 June 2012 report in the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star alleged that Syria had placed landmines 300 meters inside Lebanon on the eastern border area of Masharih al-Qaa.[7]

Cluster munition remnants

Cluster munition contamination originates primarily from the conflict with Israel in July–August 2006, though some contamination remains from conflict in the 1980s.[8] As of April 2012, 17.86km2 was suspected to be contaminated by cluster munition remnants, across 449 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs).[9] At the end of 2008, LMAC had estimated 16km2 remained. The increased figure, despite significant clearance, is said to result from re-surveying of contaminated areas and data that only became available in clearance completion reports.[10]

Impact

Cluster munition remnants affect water supplies and power lines and impede the excavation of rubble, farming, and reconstruction efforts.[11] LMAC estimated that economic activity in 2011 in south Lebanon had decreased by approximately $25 million from the more than $100 million recorded in 2006.[12] Post-clearance surveys by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), and the Lebanon Demining Organization (LDO) show 97% of cleared land is in use within three months after clearance, with housing and agriculture being the primary use of the land.[13]

Despite these post-clearance survey results, a UNDP evaluation of mine action in 2011 criticized LMAC for having underused socio-economic data that could help to understand better the negative impact of mines and cluster munitions as well as the positive impact mine action has had on the economy in the south. It concluded that LMAC had missed several opportunities to collect socio-economic data during NTS and that the information obtained through surveys had not been sufficiently exploited to demonstrate the benefits of mine action in Lebanon, nor had it been shared with stakeholders.[14]

Other explosive remnants of war

Isolated ERW can be found across the country, which is the responsibility of the LAF to clear, but the precise extent of contamination is not known.

Mine Action Program

Key institutions and operators

Body

Situation on 1 January 2012

National Mine Action Authority

Lebanese Mine Action Authority

Mine action center

Lebanon Mine Action Centre (LMAC) and the Regional Mine Action Center

UN Mine Action Support Team within UNIFIL

International mine clearance operators

DanChurchAid (DCA), Handicap International (HI), and Mines Advisory Group (MAG)

International cluster munition clearance operators

DCA, MAG, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Swiss Foundation for Mine Action

National demining operators

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Peace Generation Organization for Demining (POD)

National cluster munition clearance operators

POD

International survey

None

National survey

LAF, Lebanese Demining Organization (LDO)

International risk education operators

None

National risk education operators

Al-Jarha Association for the War Wounded and Disabled in Lebanon, Islamic Risala Scouts Association, Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped, Vision Association, Welfare Association for the Handicapped in Nabatiye, Islamic Health Council, Lebanese Association for Health and Social Care, Family Care Lebanon, and LAF.

Lebanon has asserted full ownership over its mine action program and all policies and decisions are made by the government.[15] LMAC is based in Beirut within the Ministry of Defense, reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the LAF, and manages all mine action activities through its Regional Mine Action Centre (RMAC) in Nabatiye.[16] The mine action center is staffed with personnel from the LAF. Nine civilian personnel through UNDP support fill various personnel gaps, with the majority of them in the database unit.[17] LMAC also manages risk education (RE) and victim assistance while chairing the two respective national steering committees.[18]

In December 2011, Brigadier-General Mohammed Fehmi left after almost six years as the director of LMAC. Brigadier-General Imad Odiemi took up the position in February 2012.[19]

An Interministerial Advisory Committee for mine action, with the director of LMAC serving as its secretariat, determines the strategic priorities for mine action in Lebanon.[20] The International Support Group, with senior representation from UNDP, the World Bank, and concerned donor country representation at the ambassadorial level, has not met since 2009.[21] It planned to reconvene in 2012.[22]

According to a UNDP assessment in August 2011, despite favorable assessments of LMAC and its management of the mine action program by donors and other stakeholders, national commitment at the highest level of government is lacking and there is no mechanism to monitor LMAC. In the last several years, due to the political situation in Lebanon, the Interministerial Advisory Committee has been inactive. According to UNDP, this has resulted in “a lack of integration of mine action at the higher level, missed opportunities to pool resources from other government sectors serviced by the LMAC, lack of exposure and communication of good tangible results, and weaker lobbying for mine action.”[23]

From 2001 through 2010, UNDP provided its support through a Chief Technical Adviser. In 2010, UNDP also provided temporary technical support in quality management through the provision of a full-time quality management expert, for one year. At the request of LMAC, however, neither position was renewed. UNDP supports LMAC at the policy level, funds nine RMAC staff, and promotes the development of national NGOs.[24] UNDP support for nine civilian personnel also contributes to the overall management costs.[25]

The Lebanese government contributes US$6.5 million per year for salaries of 90 LAF personnel, equipment, and running costs for the LMAC and RMAC.[26]

In October 2011, the UN Mine Action Coordination Center (UNMACC) was renamed the UN Mine Action Support Team (UNMAST) and reduced its personnel significantly. It trains the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) demining units and monitors and validates that UNIFIL mine clearance on the Blue Line complies with International Mine Action Standards.[27] The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lebanon and UNIFIL outlining responsibilities for humanitarian demining expired in December 2010 and as of May 2012 a new MoU was still under discussion with the Ministry of Defense.[28] Since October 2011, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon has no longer been conducting demining.[29]

2011–2020 Strategic plan[30]

In September 2011, LMAC adopted a strategic plan for 2011–2020. The national strategy aims to contribute to Lebanon’s development objectives and guide LMAC in implementing the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The strategic plan includes five major aims over the 10-year period:

·         The enabling of affected communities to better manage risk from landmines;

·         Guaranteed rights for victims;

·         Mine action contribution to the socio-economic development of Lebanon;

·         Compliance with the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the promotion of the universalization of the Convention; and

·         Establishment of sustainable residual capacity.

The plan calls for the complete clearance of cluster munition remnants by December 2016 and the clearance of landmines (except for the the Blue Line area) by December 2020.[31] The clearance of 890 mined areas along the Blue Line is dependent on political developments that will allow the LAF to move forward and conduct technical surveys and clearance operations. Currently the area bordering Israel is under the control of UNIFIL and no humanitarian clearance occurs there.[32]

A key element ensuring the targets of the strategic plan are met is the maintaining of 30 battle area clearance (BAC) teams in 2012–2016. If funding cannot maintain 30 BAC teams per year, the 2016 target may be missed.[33]

Program evaluations

UNDP evaluation

In July 2011, UNDP commissioned an internal evaluation of its support given to mine action in Lebanon to determine how to continue its support of LMAC and Mine Action. Overall, the review found “an excellent mine action programme, executed and implemented by remarkably committed and dedicated personnel, with a strong sense of ownership.”[34] Evaluations by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid, see below) and the European Commission in 2011 reached similar conclusions.[35]

While the UNDP review gave high marks to LMAC, it also pointed out a few shortcomings. It concluded that LMAC could greatly improve what it communicates to stakeholders and other levels of government on the mine action program. It specifically said the prioritization of tasks was not transparent enough and local authorities are not sufficiently consulted during planning. In addition, there is little collaboration with other government ministries, institutions, organizations, and companies involved in development, according to the report.[36] The work of the Lebanon mine action program is not well known internationally and UNDP recommended a more aggressive and coherent approach from LMAC and the government of Lebanon in presenting its achievements, constraints, needs, and lessons learned.

The five international NGOs[37] are key players in the mine action program in Lebanon but the study found they are underused. They carry out clearance tasks to a high professional level and raise funds to support Lebanon’s mine action and development goals, yet LMAC does not draw on the institutional expertise of the international NGOs to its fullest. Additionally, until recently, LMAC had not taken advantage of the international NGOs expertise in impact assessment at the time when LMAC itself was developing its own national impact assessment system.[38] After training from NPA in June 2011, LDO began piloting an NPA questionnaire in February 2012, with the full support of LMAC, while conducting its own post-clearance surveys.[39]

AusAid Evaluation[40]

In 2011, AusAid commissioned a mid-term review of its 2010–2014 mine action strategy; in November 2011, it conducted a review of the Lebanon mine action program as part of its Middle East strategy. AusAid found that the program led by LMAC was both well organized and implemented. AusAid provides its funding through the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and NPA. The review concluded both these NGOs “represent value for money and are achieving the outputs and outcomes stated in their project documents.” The review recommended AusAid should continue giving its support to clear cluster munitions through the end of 2016 when Lebanon planned to complete clearance.

Clearance and survey capacity

Three national NGOs, four international NGOs, one commercial company and the Lebanese army comprise the landmine and cluster munition clearance capacity in Lebanon.

National commercial companies and NGOs

Since September 2009, two national NGOs and one national commercial company have been established. In September 2009, the NGO Peace Generation Organization for Demining (PGOD) was established, working in partnership with the Iranian organization, Immen Sazan Omran Pars (ISOP) with funding from the government of Iran.[41] Middle East Mines Specialists (MMCS) was established as a commercial company in 2010 with funding from Russia’s EMERCOM.[42] MMCS suspended operations in July 2011 when its funding expired and is in the process of changing its status to a national NGO.[43] LDO was established in 2010 with a grant from the US Department of State. Until the end of 2011, LDO conducted NTS for LMAC. In 2012, it began conducting post-clearance surveys with three survey teams.[44]

International commercial companies and NGOs

DanChurchAid (DCA) has been clearing cluster munition remnants and landmines in south Lebanon since September 2007.[45] MAG has been in Lebanon since 2000 and is based in Nabatiye. MAG is the only clearance operator in Lebanon with mechanical assets. It provides its mechanical assets to all operators as needed.[46] NPA is based in Tyre and has been clearing cluster munitions in Lebanon since 2006 and was planning to hire additional staff in June 2012 with new funding from Belgium and Italy through UNDP.[47] The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) returned to Lebanon in September 2010 after a one-year absence and has three teams.[48] Handicap International (HI) has been involved in mine clearance operations in Lebanon since 2006. Based in Toula, HI is the only organization clearing mines in north Lebanon.[49] Each month, RMAC holds meetings in Nabatiye with all the operators.

In January 2012, the US Department of State awarded a contract to Sterling International, a US-based business that specializes in humanitarian and security related services, in response to a call for tender issued in March 2011 to replace DynCorp International and continue the training of LMAC in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), demining, and quality assurance (QA), as well as to provide demining equipment to LMAC.[50]

Lebanese Armed Forces

The LAF engineer regiment contributes two BAC teams that can also be tasked to clear mines when needed. The LAF also deploys its seven mine-detection dog teams as needed to support clearance by the NGOs.[51]

UNIFIL

The primary task of UNIFIL mine-clearance teams is to clear paths through minefields in order to place 470 markers on the 118km-long Blue Line. As of 5 April 2012, UNIFIL had placed 200 markers. Its capacity consists of demining battalions from Belgium, Cambodia, China, France, Italy, and Spain.[52]However, due to troop rotations and leave time, the 18 mine clearance teams are never working at the same time.[53] In October 2011, UNIFIL discontinued humanitarian demining on the Blue Line and only clears mines to facilitate the placement of markers.[54]

Land Release

Priorities for land release focus on infrastructure, housing, and agriculture.[55]In 2011, 0.08km2 of mined areas and 2.5km2 of land containing cluster munition remnants were cleared in Lebanon.

LMAC reported conducting 3.41km2 of manual clearance in 2011 as well as 100,415m2 of mechanical clearance, and release of 132,470m2 by mine-detection dogs.[56] LMAC, however, did not disaggregate the data by clearance of mined area, battle area, and area contaminated by cluster munitions, so the total has been recorded only as BAC. Clearance included destruction of 43 antipersonnel mines and 584 unexploded submunitions.

Five-year summary of clearance[57]

Year

Mined area cleared (km2)

Cluster-munition-contaminated area cleared (km2)

2011

0.08

2.54

2010

1.59

3.14

2009

0.04

3.90

2008

0.08

9.86

2007

0.49

15.43

Totals

2.28

34.87

Survey in 2011

The Lebanon mine action program conducts both NTS and technical survey (TS). In 2011, the LAF completed the National Non-Technical Survey project that began in 2005. The aim was to re-survey all SHAs identified during the LIS in 2002–2003. SHAs are canceled when they meet a number of criteria established by LMAC. The land must be in use and cleared previous to the LIS. Before releasing the land, leaders of the municipalities and the landowner are interviewed. (Lebanese law is clear on land ownership.) As part of the survey, landowners are shown photographs of landmines and ERW and then asked whether they have seen such objects on their land. At the end of the interview, they are asked to sign an affidavit stating the land they own does not contain mines and ERW.[58]

NTS confirmed 605 tasks remained covering 14.46km2; this includes both known mined areas and dangerous areas containing booby-traps and “nuisance” mines. NTS also identified 361 tasks covering 29.34km2 where some clearance had occurred after the LIS and which LMAC decided not to survey. In addition, there are 890 mined areas along the Blue Line covering 7.41km2.[59] The NTS results have not been incorporated into the baseline data used to develop the 2011–2020 Strategic Plan.

After the completion of the NTS project at the end of 2011, LMAC tasked the two LDO survey teams to conduct post-clearance surveys on land cleared of submunitions using a short questionnaire designed by RMAC. In February 2012, LDO added a third survey team to pilot a post clearance survey questionnaire developed by NPA. The US Department of State funds two survey teams and NPA supports one team.[60]

Mine clearance in 2011

In 2011, DCA, HI, MAG, and NPA together cleared 75,615m2 of mined area while finding 404 antipersonnel mines, one antivehicle mine and 633 items of unexploded ordnance.[61] On the Blue Line in January–September 2011, UNIFIL cleared 23,441m2 by manual clearance, 3,338m2 by mechanical clearance, and 8,982m2 by battle area clearance, finding and destroying 438 antipersonnel mines, 54 antivehicle mines, and 63 submunitions.[62] Although LMAC reported that the LAF found 43 antipersonnel mines in 2011 during emergency response tasks, they did not report either how many areas were cleared or the amount of contaminated area.[63]

Clearance of cluster munition contaminated areas in 2011

All clearance of cluster munition remnants is both subsurface and surface.[64]In 2011, LMAC reported that NGO operators cleared 2.51km2 of contaminated land, destroying 4,888 unexploded submunitions. Since December 2010, UNIFIL has not cleared unexploded submunitions in Lebanon.[65]

The table below shows a significant decline in clearance from 2009 to 2011. During the course of 2009, the total number of teams declined as funding was reduced and FSD, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), and BACTEC left the country.[66]

Clearance of cluster munition remnants by operator in 2009–2011[67]

 

2011

2010

2009

Totals

Operator

Area cleared (m2)

Area cleared (m2)

Area cleared (m2)

Area cleared (m2)

NPA

661,186

860,668

1,181,300

2,703,154

MAG

556,715

562,422

1,458,626

2,577,763

DCA

567,050

436,285

692,541

1,695,876

LAF

Not reported

863,496

128,706

992,202

POD

387,684

338,450

50,995

777,129

FSD

323,590

76,220

61,800

461,610

MSB

Closed

Closed

211,889

211,889

BACTEC

Closed

Closed

134,561

134,561

UNIFIL

10,640

6,656

0

17,296

Totals

2,506,865

3,144,197

3,920,418

9,571,480

In 2009, LMAC established a Clearance Review Board to examine the surface and subsurface cluster munition clearance that occurred from August 2006 to December 2008. The board consisted of personnel from LMAC, UNDP, and UNMACC. The first phase of the review analyzed clearance data and completion reports from 2006 to 2008. This was complemented by a review of the database to determine if the submunitions that had been found on cleared land could be attributed to additional clearance or whether it could be attributed to the transporting of munitions from other sites to that site for disposal. The review board also designed procedures for the RMAC to identify and review sites that had submunitions after clearance to determine the extent of contamination and residual threat. The second phase reviewed what factors may have led to cluster munitions being missed. The outcome of the review is unknown as the final report from the review board has never been released. The UNDP evaluator in August 2011 recommended the report be released because it contained important lessons learned that could be applied to current management practices at LMAC.[68]

Compliance with Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Under Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Lebanon is required to complete clearance of all areas affected by cluster munition remnants under its jurisdiction or control by 1 May 2021.

Lebanon plans to clear all cluster munitions by the end of 2016, more than four years before its Article 4 deadline. The target date is based on deploying 30 EOD teams per year. In 2011, the NGOs deployed 25 teams.[69] During a Cluster Munition Monitor field mission to Lebanon in May 2012, all stakeholders believed the 2016 target date was reasonable if funding and the number of teams stabilized or increased and the contamination estimates prove accurate.

Battle area clearance in 2011

As noted above, LMAC reported that in 2011 the LAF cleared 3.42km2 of contaminated area, resulting in the destruction of 584 unexploded submunitions and 42 antipersonnel mines as well as 141,575 items of ERW.[70]

Quality management

LMAC reports that it conducts QA on all clearance by checking each ongoing task during weekly unannounced visits using its three QA teams based at the RMAC to cover the south and two teams in LMAC to cover demining in the north and Mount Lebanon.[71] AusAid, in its review of the Lebanon mine action program, found LMAC’s monitoring and QA system to be “excellent.”[72] UNMAST conducts QA of clearance by UNIFIL teams on the Blue Line.[73]

Safety of demining personnel

In 2011, one incident during clearance operations was reported. A DCA employee suffered injuries above an eye and to a leg while clearing an area of submunitions. The injuries were minor and the employee subsequently returned to work with DCA.[74]LMAC does not report casualties from incidents involving the LAF “for security reasons”.[75]

Risk Education

LMAC executes, coordinates, and supervises mine/ERW risk education (RE). A National Steering Committee on Mine Risk Education represents the various professional and political groups in the country, and the members work in the communities they represent. NPA, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Social Affairs are also members.[76]

In 2011, the Ministry of Education added safety messages to the training curriculum for health educators. RE activities were conducted through scout associations and through university students volunteer networks. RE activities directly reached more than 71,000 people in south Lebanon and west Bekaa.[77]

One of the five major aims of the 2011–2020 strategic mine action plan is to keep the public informed of the danger of landmines and cluster munition remnants. The plan calls for a rapid response capacity; a training handbook; integration of RE messages into schools; and training of 600 health educators and 150 social workers from the Social Development Centers. At the end of 2020, it is planned that RE would be self-sustaining through volunteers, teachers, and social workers.[78]

 



[1] Lebanese Mine Action Centre (LMAC), “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[2] Ibid. The World Bank reported the population in Lebanon was 4,227,597 in 2010.

[3] Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire by Col. Rolly Fares, Head, Information Technology Section, LMAC, 28 March 2011.

[4] Results of non-technical survey provided to Landmine Monitor by Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, Beirut, 6 May 2012.

[5] Results of non-technical survey provided to the Monitor by LMAC; and Presentation by LMAC to the National Directors and UN Advisors Meeting, Geneva, 28 March 2012.

[6] Interview with Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, Beirut, 3 May 2012.

[7]Syria plants landmines along Lebanon border,” The Daily Star, 13 June 2012.

[8] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[9] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 3 May 2012.

[10] Ibid., and Presentation of 13 May 2011.

[11] Interview with Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Fehmi, Director, LMAC, Beirut, 11 May 2011.

[12] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[13] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012; and interview with Ibrahim Ghossein, Program Manager, LDO, 8 May 20012.

[14] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[15] Interview with Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Fehmi, LMAC, Beirut, 11 May 2011.

[16] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011, p. 4.

[18] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[19] Interview with Brig.-Gen. Imad Odiemi, Director, LMAC, Beirut, 11 May 2012.

[20] UN, “2011 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects,” March 2011, New York, p. 207.

[21] Interview with Mirna Sabbagh, UNDP, Beirut, 17 May 2011.

[22] Interview with Brig.-Gen. Imad Odiemi, LMAC, Beirut, 11 May 2012.

[23] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Ibid., and interview with Brig.-Gen. Imad Odiemi, LMAC, Beirut, 5 May 2012.

[27] UNMAST presentation at National Directors and UN Advisors Meeting, Geneva, 23-26 March 2012.

[28] Interview with Brigadier General Imad Odiemi, LMAC, Beirut, 4 May 2012.

[29] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012.

[30] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[31] Ibid.

[32] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012.

[33] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[34] Interview with Mirna Sabbagh, Beirut, 4 May 2012.

[35] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[36] Ibid.

[37] They are: DCA, FSD, HI, MAG, and NPA.

[38] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[39] Interview with Ibrahim Ghossein, LDO, Borj Qudani, south Lebanon, 8 May 20012.

[40] Ian Mansfield, “Review of AusAid’s Mine Action Program in the Middle East,” AusAid, 2 January 2012.

[41] Interviews with Lt.-Col. Mohammad El Cheikh, LMAC, Beirut, 22 February 2010; and Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, Beirut, 3 May 2012.

[42] EMERCOM is the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies, and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters.

[43] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012.

[44] Interview with Ibrahim Ghossein, LDO, 8 May 20012.

[45] DCA Mine Action: Lebanon, www.danchurchaid.org.

[46] Interview with Bekim Shala, Country Director, MAG, Nabatiye, 8 May 2012; and MAG, “Mechanical capacity in Lebanon,” Report, undated.

[47] Interview with Eva Veble, Programme Manager, NPA, 8 May 2012.

[48] Presentation by Jesse Amand, Operations Manager, FSD, Marjeyoun, 8 May 2012.

[49] Interview with Camille Auborg, Programme Manager, HI, Beirut, 7 May 2012.

[50] Interview with Patrick van Beuge, Program Manager, Sterling International, Beirut, 3 May 2012; and see, www.sterling-int.com.

[51] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012.

[52] Xinhua, “UNIFIL Marks Mine Clearance Efforts in Lebanon,” CRIEnglish.com, 5 April 2012; Presentation by UNMAST to the National Directors and UN Advisors Meeting, Geneva, 23–26 March 2012; and Response to Monitor questionnaire from Michael Hands, Programme Manager, UNMAST, 1 April 2012.

[53] Presentation by UNMAST to the National Directors and UN Advisors Meeting, Geneva, 23–26 March 2012.

[54] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 4 May 2012.

[55] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.

[56] Email from Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 11 July 2012.

[57] Interview with Maj. Charmen Rahal, Acting Chief, Regional Mine Action Centre (RMAC), 3 June 2010; and response to Monitor questionnaire from Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 2 May 2012.

[58] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[59] LMAC provided the survey results to the Monitor during a field mission in May 2012.

[60] Interview with Ibrahim Ghossein, LDO, 8 May 20012.

[61] Email from Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 11 July 2012.

[62] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Michael Hands, UNMAST, 1 April 2012.

[63] Email from Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 11 July 2012.

[64] Presentation by Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 3 May 2012.

[65] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Michael Hands, UNMAST, 1 April 2012.

[66] Email from Armen Harutyunyan, Programme Manager, FSD, 29 July 2009; and IRIN, “Funding shortfall threatens cluster bomb demining,” Reuters, 14 May 2009.

[67] Email from Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 11 July 2012; Response to Monitor questionnaire by Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 28 March 2011; and interview with Maj. Charmen Rahal, RMAC, 3 June 2010.

[68] UNDP, “Mine Action in Lebanon: A Review of the Lebanon Mine Action Programme and UNDP Support to mine action in Lebanon,” Final Report, September 2011.

[69] Presentation by LMAC to the National Directors and UN Advisors Meeting, Geneva, 28 March 2012.

[70] Email from Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, 11 July 2012.

[71] Interview with Lt. Patrick Choufein, Operations Officer, RMAC, Nabatiye, 16 May 2011.

[72] Ian Mansfield, “Review of AusAid’s Mine Action Program in the Middle East,” AusAid, 2 January 2012.

[73] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Michael Hands, UNMAST, 1 April 2012.

[74] Interview with Craig MacDiarmid, Operations Manager, DCA, Beirut, 7 May 2012.

[75] Interview with Col. Rolly Fares, LMAC, Beirut, 7 May 2012.

[76] Statement of Lebanon, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 4 December 2009; and email from Lt.-Col. El Cheikh, Head, MRE Section, LMAC, 27 April 2009.

[77] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Maj. Pierre Bou Maroun, RMAC, Nabatiye, 2 May 2012.

[78] LMAC, “Lebanon Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011.