Lebanon

Background

Since the beginning of the 1975 civil war, Lebanon has faced several waves of armed conflict involving its own armed forces, neighboring Israel and Syria, as well as a number of armed non-State actors (NSAs). Today, Hezbollah is the main Lebanese NSA engaged in armed resistance against Israel. The Lebanese army also faces internal threats from NSAs.

Lebanon is heavily contaminated with anti-personnel (AP) mines, which Israel and NSAs have used between 1975 and the withdrawal of Israeli troops in 2000. Israel’s use of cluster munitions during the 2006 conflict further contributed to the problem of explosive remnants of war. Several NSAs operating from Lebanon allegedly laid AP mines or other victim-activated devices in the past.

Activities

Geneva Call has started dialoguing with local organizations affiliated with Hezbollah in 2005. During a field mission in 2008, the organization started engaging Hezbollah in an AP mine ban; discussions are ongoing.