The issue of reforming and reviving Lebanon's local government network is of central importance to reforming and reviving the Lebanese political and administrative system as a whole. Because the number of municipalities is relatively high (over 600), and the political, administrative, fiscal, social, and economic issues interwoven in the municipal issue are so complex, a serious and thorough study of the problems and challenges facing local government in Lebanon is a critical first step in developing a rational policy toward this complex issue.

To address this issue, the LCPS undertook and has concluded a study on the situation of municipalities. The study aims to identify problems, devise solutions and suggest reforms. The researchers chose and managed their own field research assistants, conducted surveys of dozens of municipalities in the various regions, collected data and a literature review of books, journals and newspapers, and conducted interviews with officials of ministries, heads of municipalities, and municipal government experts.

Throughout the implementation of the research project, and after months of research, the five researchers presented their work in a one-day conference on municipal government held in the month of October, 1994. The conference (see list of Conferences) was attended by public administration experts, representatives from the Ministry of Municipal and Village Affairs, as well as parliamentary deputies, journalists, and academics. The conference brought to the forefront the problems facing municipal government in Lebanon. Many municipalities have become dysfunctional and many are ineffective and suffer from serious financing, staffing, and administrative problems. During the conference, the participants suggested ways of improving the municipalities' situation by suggesting the holding of municipal elections, and the provision to municipalities the needed authority to make their own autonomous decisions.

Published in Arabic, the book is entitled "The Reality of Municipalities in Lebanon: Obstacles to Local Participation and Balanced Development". It examines the condition of municipalities in Mount Lebanon, the South, North Lebanon, and Beirut. It also highlights the problems faced by municipalities in Lebanon, and analyzes the relationship between local bodies and the central government. The final chapter provides recommendations for legal and fiscal reforms, as well as ideas for providing training to municipalities in order for them to play an effective role in the provision of local services and development. The book also includes maps, tables and graphs.

The whole project was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation.