South Africa enjoys cordial diplomatic relations with the Republic of Lebanon. South Africa's historic relations with Lebanon are due to a sizeable community of South Africans of Lebanese origin (30 000), the first components of which dates back more than a century. South Africa maintained a Consulate-General in Lebanon until 1974, and from then onwards, an Interest Section under the auspices of the Swiss Embassy. In 1979 the last South African official was withdrawn because of the threat posed by the civil war but the Mission continued to function with only one locally recruited staff member until the last of these went on retirement in 1982.

The South African Interest Section was never officially "closed", but its functioning was only "suspended". The Lebanese Interest Section of the Swiss Embassy in South Africa continued to function uninterruptedly until full diplomatic relations were established in 1995. On 27 June 1994, Lebanon and South Africa formally re-established full diplomatic relations. The Head of Mission in Damascus is accredited to Lebanon on a non-resident basis and Lebanon has an Ambassador in South Africa.

Thelma Hlongwane hosted in studio to speak about details of our relations, HE Mr K Frangieh, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lebanon to South Africa...