South Lebanon

Economically less developed than the rest of the country, the south of Lebanon - with Saida (Sidon) and Tyre (Sour) as the main ancient port cities - is rich in its history, dating all the way back to Phoenician times (1500 BC). Together with Tripoli, it is the most Islamic and conservative part of Lebanon, yet in some parts the number of Christians and Druze is considerable. The area suffered severely from Israeli invasions (1978, 1982, 1994, 1996 and 2006) and from the Civil War (1975 - 1990) and nowadays there continues to be the presence of the UN Interim Forces (UNIFIL). With its fertile soil, the south provides a rich environment for citrus, banana and olive groves and boasts an attractive green coastline. The area is also known for its many castles, mosques, khans, caves, temples, souqs and pleasant beaches. In spite of its turbulent past and the ongoing political tensions, the south of Lebanon is generally safe to visit. Nevertheless, as the situation in Lebanon is volatile, it is recommended to check the latest developments before visiting. When traveling around the area, stay on the main roads and clear paths and avoid non-tourist areas (see also PICTURES IN HEZBOLLAH AREAS). 


 
VISITING SOUTH LEBANON - PERMIT
As a non-Lebanese, to visit the region south of Litani River, which includes Beaufort Castle, Hasbaya, Khiam and the area south of Tyre, you need a security pass number. This can be obtained from the Army Security Service (Mukhabbarat al-Jeish) in Haret Saida. Bring your passport, a copy of the ID page of your passport, a copy of the latest entrance stamp in your passport and a passport-sized color photo. Arrangements take less than 24 hours and if you are lucky, will be provided to you while waiting. If you do not speak any Arabic, Jalal Ghandour is the officer that can best take care of your permit (+961 (0)3 264 274 / (0)7 724 912). To get to the Army Security Service by car from Beirut, take the highway to the north toward Saida. Approaching the football stadium at Saida, follow the signs to Tyre and Jezzine. At the end of the flyover, continue straight. Directly after the McDonald’s and Spinneys, take a left toward Haret Saida. Turn right at the end of the street and right again when the road merges with another street. From there, the Army Security Service Building is located on the left after about 50 meters. As cars are not allowed to pass the barrier, it is advised to park your car a little bit further down on your right.