Information on racial discrimination against Muslims and/or Arabic persons could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, according to a May 1996 New African report, Lebanese "have packed their bags and left" because they were victims of looting during an army mutiny that took place in February 1996. For additional information on this topic, please consult the attached document.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

New African [London]. May 1996. "Behind the Coup Attempt."

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997.

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1996.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996, 1997.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1996-1997.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection (WNC).

Three oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.