Lebanon
In December 2022, the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations informed the Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor that the matter of accession to the TPNW is being discussed among ministries concerned in the capital.[1]
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compatible |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| (d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compatible |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2023) |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| 1MSP delegation size (% women) | N/A |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties | |
|---|---|
| Party to an NWFZ | No |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Ratified 1970) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2008) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Ratified 1975) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Acceded 2008) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (5 Mar 1973) |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Modified) |
| Additional Protocol | No |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
Lebanon voted in favour of adopting the TPNW at the UN Diplomatic Conference in 2017 and has consistently voted in favour of the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the Treaty, including in 2022.
Lebanon maintains policies and practices that are compatible with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the TPNW, and can therefore sign and ratify or accede to the Treaty without the need for a change in conduct.
At the Tenth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in August 2022, Lebanon warned: ‘The world is at risk of sliding into a nuclear war, and the use of nuclear weapons, by design or miscalculation, is higher than anytime before.’ It highlighted the recent entry into force of the TPNW as a sign of hope in otherwise dark times.2
Marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2022, Lebanon cited the TPNW as an example of members of the UN General Assembly showing ‘commitment and courage in leading the way toward achieving the goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons’.3
Recommendations
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Lebanon should urgently adhere to the TPNW.
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Lebanon should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol with the IAEA.
1) Email to the Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor from Mohammad-Ali Jardali, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the UN, 19 December 2022.