Beirut, Lebanon

LEBANON Following the capture of the region from the Ottoman Empire by Anglo-French forces in 1918, France received a League of Nations mandate over Syria and subsequently separated Lebanon from it, establishing Greater Lebanon. France granted Lebanon complete independence in 1943, though French troops did not fully withdraw until 1946. A 15-year civil war (1975–1990) later devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Taif Agreement—the blueprint for national reconciliation—the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections, most militias have been disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended authority over about two-thirds of the country. However, Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and militant group, retains its weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized Syria's troop deployment in the Taif Agreement. This presence numbered about 16,000 troops, based mainly east of Beirut and in the Beqaa Valley. Damascus justified its continued military presence by citing requests from Beirut and the Lebanese government's failure to implement all constitutional reforms. However, Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004—which called for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs—further emboldened opposition groups. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005 triggered massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence, a movement known as the Cedar Revolution. Consequently, Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces from Lebanon in April 2005. In May and June of 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections free of foreign interference since the end of the civil war, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad Hariri, the slain prime minister's son.

Capital: Beirut Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, situated between Israel and Syria. Population: Approximately 3.87 million (Note: This historical figure represents citizens; total residency including refugee populations varies).

Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers. The Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows.

Local Time: Lebanon uses Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC/GMT +2. During Daylight Saving Time (Late March to Late October), it switches to Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is UTC/GMT +3. This makes Beirut 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Independence: November 22, 1943 (from the League of Nations mandate under French administration). National Holiday: Independence Day, November 22.

Flag of Lebanon: Consists of three horizontal bands: red at the top, a white middle band of double width, and red at the bottom. A green cedar tree is centered within the white band, symbolizing holiness, eternity, and peace.