LEBANON

Brief History of Lebanon

Lebanon is about 217 km (about 135 m) long and 40 to 80 km (25 to 50 m) wide.  A tiny beautiful country, with very hospitable, fun loving and friendly people. A country where one when stretches out one’s hands reaches its borders instantly.  Situated at the far eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon is considered by many a paradise and an oasis in a desert. With numerous gorges and high snow peaked mountains decorated with lovely, tall pine trees and few left centuries old cedar trees. The climate varies; summers are hot and dry; winters are mild and humid. The mountainous region is somewhat cooler.

The capital is Beirut. Other major cities are Tripoli, Jubeil (Byblos), Ba'albek, Jounieh, Saida (Sidon), Sur (Tyre), Zahlé.

Lebanon's first inhabitants are believed to be the Phoenicians. They were master navigators, traders and sailors and at one time a powerful force in the Mediterranean sea. They traded with Europe, Africa and Far East. They established many colonies and cities. Yet they themselves were ruled  by many other nations. Although they enjoyed brief periods of independence but most of the time they were overpowered and ruled by others. The most important Phoenician contribution to civilization was the alphabet, and the invention of glass.

During the World War I the Ottoman Empire was defeated thus giving the governments of Britain and France the opportunity to redraw the political map of the Middle East and create new states.  Britain and France divided former Arab territories.

They established the Greater Lebanon with its present boundaries and Beirut as its capital under French Mandate. Lebanon got its independence from France on November 22, 1943.

Even though Lebanon is a Democratic country, it has a president, a parliament, and a cabinet of ministers but there are six religious groups. The country is divided between Christians and Muslims. The Christian side includes, The Manronites, The Greek Orthodox, The Armenian Church and The Muslim side includes, The Sunnis, The Shiites and The Druze.

Religious authority is very powerful. Even though The constitution is not based on religion. But it is strongly controlled by religious groups and there is this unwritten agreement between the religious groups that The President should be a Maronite, The Prime Minister, a Sunni; and the Head of the Parliament, a Shiite.

This unwritten agreement created for the country a prosperous periods, even though there were people who were not happy with this arrangement but the country survived until 1975 when the Lebanese Civil War broke out. At the beginning the fighting started between the Maronites and the Palestinian refugees but because of the existing mistrust between different religions, other groups joined in. The Civil War lasted for about 15 years. The whole Lebanese infrastructure was devastated.

The Last time I visited Lebanon was in 1998. What I noticed was that time had frozen in its pace, but there were construction sites everywhere. People were building new houses and repairing the damaged ones. Beirut was buried under dust. Back then there were signs of hope that the country will recover from its destructive path until the Prime Minister Rafik Hariri ( the man behind the reconstruction and progress of the city of Beirut) was brutally assassinated.

I hope Lebanese will find a way to save their country before it's too late. It is unfortunate to see the destruction of a beautiful country and a disappearance of a fun loving people. Lebanon will always have a special place in my heart.

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