Also, approximately 200,000 Palestinian refugees are located in seven camps under the administration of the United Nations. Finally, Israeli forces continue to occupy approximately 12 percent of Lebanon. Although the civil war ended in 1991, the confessional, regional, feudal, political and cultural frictions that caused the war remain. The political accommodation imposed by Syria at Ta'if, in 1989, produced an executive power-sharing troika based on confession, as is parliamentary representation. This has led to government by consensus that makes bold decision-making and policy reform difficult.
Corruption is endemic, though the current government has made efforts to curtail the worst abuses.
During the period 1992-1998, government efforts were focused primarily on massive reconstruction of infrastructure and utilities, both to reestablish the basic needs of society and to rebuild the economy. However, little was done in terms of economic and administrative reform or in support of industry, agriculture, services or the social sectors. Also during this period, economic growth rebounded, until 1996, but slowed again, in 1999, due to a mild recession. A mixed blessing for the Lebanese economy has been a continued high investor demand for Lebanese issued Eurobonds and treasury bills. Unfortunately, this demand has been driven by the high interest rates the GOL must pay.