Lebanese Republic             
         MIN1STRY OF THE INTERIOR AND M1NUCIPAIJI1ES (:F.NERAL
         IMRECTORA1E OF TUE CIVIL DEFENSE                   
                                                            
                                                            
                                                            
                                                            
                                                            
         N :ig lCD.                                         
                                                            
                                M Salvanu Briceno                                  
                                                            
         
         
         
                                  Dear Sir,
                           Due to your letter, dated on February 17—2004
                      relating disaster reduction , we inform you that the Lebanese
                      Civil defense, adopted several measures to reduce the risks
                      of disaster as follows:
                      - Training of people :25 000—30 000 citizens per year.
                      - Execution of tests to approve the level of members of
                        Civil Defense and the voloriteers.
                      - Coordination and cooperation with lebanese army and
                        other security forces.
                      - Purchasing of new rescue and multi purpose vehicles,
                        and making training to Civil Defense members and
                                 volunteers.
                      - Dispatching instructors to LC.O.O. Geneva and other
                        countries to participate in training courses,
                        management of disasters and intervention during the
                        disasters.
         
                           I seize , dear sir , this opportunity to assure to you
                        my highest consideration,
         
                             8eymuthcV~ / 5/2004
                       General Dire r o~Ci Vii Defense
                                        General A’    arwich Hobeika