Real GDP growth estimated at 2% in 2007
According to Bank Audi’s Research Department, economic activity has managed to end the year with a positive real GDP growth for Lebanon, though modest in magnitude.

Consolidated deposits of commercial banks up by US$ 6.6 billion in 2007

Foreign trade activity surges by 28% in the first ten months of 2007

Official GDP in 2005 at LP 32,499 billion as per Lebanon’s Economic Accounts
The Lebanese government released Lebanon’s 2005 Economic Accounts, part of a series of national accounts’ publications launched since 2002.

Balance sheet of financial institutions shows 10.9% yearly growth at year-end 2007
Figures released by the Central Bank show that the consolidated balance sheet of financial institutions in Lebanon reached LP 946.2 billion, or US$ 627.6 million, at year-end 2007, up by 10.9% from US$ 565.7 million at year-end 2006.

In the southern port city of Sidon, the storm caused a landslide at a huge garbage dump known as the "rubbish mountain," sending an estimated 150 tons of garbage into the sea, according to a statement issued by the Sidon municipality.

The statement, carried by the state-run National News Agency, blamed the snowstorm as well as a magnitude 5 quake in Lebanon last week for causing "cracks" in the mountain of garbage and leading to the collapse.

"The Sidon municipality has announced a state of environmental emergency and is taking necessary measures to limit sea pollution," it said.

Environmental experts have long warned of public health hazards associated with the Sidon dump. The mountain of waste has partially collapsed into the Mediterranean on at least two occasions in the past.

Photos from the spectacular performance of "The Tsar's Bride" @ the 2008 Al Bustan Festival in Beit Mery, Lebanon.

Three years have passed since the February 14 Explosion at the St George Square.

Today, a memorial built illegally - without permit or rights to the land - on the St George Square stands in the shadow of the destroyed St George Hotel. The Saniora Government, on orders of Solidere, has blocked the reconstruction and compensation funds of the St George Hotel, to force the owners to sell to Solidere. The sale of the St George Hotel to Solidere would effectively place all of Downtown Beirut under the control of Solidere.

Blogging Beirut is looking for a buyer for its infamous Camera & Lenses.

This is the same camera that captured the 2006 Israeli War on Lebanon, with photographs featured on CNN, BBC, Le Monde, and many more around the world.


Here's the Package:

February 15, 2008

At around 12:30 PM Lebanon Time, a Major Minor Earthquake shook the South of Lebanon.

Residents of Saida & Sour (Sidon and Tyre) ran out of buildings in panic.

Mild Aftershock felt at around 2 PM Lebanon Time.

This is the 3rd Minor Earthquake in Lebanon in less than 2 weeks.

Casualties & Structural Damage reported in Sour (Tyre), Saida (Sidon), Srifa, and Mays al-Jabal.

Bhannes Quake Center Set the Quake at 5.1 on the Richter Scale.