**RESOURCES WRAP UP**

In Lebanon , arable land is scarce, but the climate and the good water supply from springs helps maintain a variety of crops on mountain slopes and in the coastal region. The majority of the country's industry survived the civil war unharmed. Beirut's industrial belt was completely destroyed, but some of the country's large complexes were unharmed. Manufacturing recovered to more than half of the still-existing capacity, held back by limited labour travel, difficulty in getting supplies, insufficient working capital, and difficulty in obtaining credit. The Israeli invasion of 1982, however, with its heavy attack of some of Lebanon's major cities and following sabotage by local war groups, caused further damage to industry and organizations.


Widespread smuggling, gave foreign aid to armed groups, and illegal drug production have disguised the pattern of trade since 1975. Exports, mainly vegetable products, textiles, and nonprecious metals are sent mainly to Middle Eastern countries. Imports come mostly from western Europe. A huge trading has been partly covered by “invisible” items such as foreign money payments and government loans.


Lebanon is one of the few countries in the Middle East with a comparatively well-developed labour movement. Trade unions have secured some very important aliances, fringe benefits, collective bargaining contracts and better working conditions. During the civil war, divisions in many of the trade unions weakened their normal functions, and many of their members joined the warring factions. Many others emigrated. The trades are still with problems, due to the continuing war.