2006 press releases

U.S. Embassy Donates 800 Books on U.S. Legal System to Lebanese Bar Association

March 8, 2006

The U.S. Cultural Attaché Ryan Gliha presented the President of the Lebanese Bar Association Boutros Doumit with 800 Arabic-language copies of “Outline of the U.S. Legal System,” March 8, 2005. The books will be used by the Association as part of its continuing education and professional development program. The U.S. Embassy donation aims to support Lebanese efforts to reform public institutions to promote accountability, transparency and effectiveness.

“Outline of the U.S. Legal System” covers the history and organization of the federal and state judicial systems; the criminal and civil court processes; the background, qualifications, and selection of federal judges; the role of other participants (lawyers, defendants, interest groups) in the judicial process; and the implementation and impact of judicial policies.

This donation is a component of the Embassy’s book donation program to Lebanese libraries, schools and other institutions. During the past two years, the Embassy has donated over 10,000 books in English, Arabic and French, for children and adults to over 100 public libraries and educational and cultural institutions. In September 2005, the Embassy inaugurated the first American Corner in Lebanon at the municipal library in Rashaya. The Embassy hopes to expand this program throughout Lebanon in the coming year, preparing collections of books and materials about America’s culture, history and geography for donation to over 50 libraries and cultural centers throughout the country.