The size of Lebanon’s military force and its cost is a subject of political debate. Those opposed to military spending at the current levels argue that the public debt could be greatly reduced by slashing military expenditures. However, proponents point to the high interest paid on the debt, saying that from 1993–2003, it has reached 80% of the net public debt, and that should be the focus of cutbacks.

Military expenditures, which are detailed in annual budget laws, reached LL 1,156.3 billion ($767 million) in 2003. Furthermore, the cost of retirement salaries and end-of-service indemnities added another LL 692 billion, or $459 million (excluding the parliamentary police).

Therefore, the cost of the military totaled LL 1,848.3 billion ($1.2 billion), or 21.5% of Lebanon’s total estimated budget expenditures in 2003.

The 2004 budget (LL 8,600 billion or $5.7 billion) estimates military expenditures at LL 1,908 billion, or $1.26 billion.

Ministry of Defense expenditures

Ministry of Defense expenditures, as estimated in the 2003 budget law, are approximately LL 781 billion ($518 million), representing 9.1% of national expenditures. ...Full Story