PART ONE
FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS
PREAMBLE
(INTRODUCED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF SEPTEMBER 21, 1990)
A) Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent country. It is a final homeland for all its
citizens. It is unified in its territory, people, and institutions within the boundaries defined
in this constitution and recognized internationally.
B) Lebanon is Arab in its identity and in its affiliation. It is a founding and active
member of the League of Arab States and abides by its pacts and covenants. Lebanon is
also a founding and active member of the United Nations Organization and abides by its
covenants and by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Government shall
embody these principles in all fields and areas without exception.
C) Lebanon is a parliamentary democratic republic based on respect for public liberties,
especially the freedom of opinion and belief, and respect for social justice and equality of
rights and duties among all citizens without discrimination.
D) The people are the source of authority and sovereignty; they shall exercise these
powers through the constitutional institutions.
E) The political system is established on the principle of separation of powers, their
balance and cooperation.
F) The economic system is free and ensures private initiative and the right of private
property.
G) The even development among regions on the educational, social, and economic levels
shall be a basic pillar of the unity of the state and the stability of the system.
H) The abolition of political confessionalism shall be a basic national goal and shall be
achieved according to a staged plan.
I) Lebanese territory is one for all Lebanese. Every Lebanese shall have the right to live
in any part thereof and to enjoy the rule of law wherever he resides. There shall be no
segregation of the people on the basis of any type of belonging, and no fragmentation,
partition, or settlement of non-Lebanese in Lebanon.
J) There shall be no constitutional legitimacy for any authority which contradicts the
'pact of mutual existence.