Lebanese banknote celebrates independence - but can't spell it

The notes will still go into circulation on Nov 22, when Lebanon marks the end of French colonial rule in 1943.

BEIRUT: Lebanon will go ahead with plans to issue banknotes marking 70 years since its independence despite a spelling mistake on the commemorative currency, the Central Bank said on November 15.

The French-language face of the special issue 50,000 pound note, which is worth about $33, spells "independence" as it is written in English, rather than the French "independance".

The bank said it regretted the mistake, which it blamed on the printing company, but said the notes would still go into circulation on November 22, when Lebanon marks the anniversary of the end of French colonial rule in 1943.