What was Lebanon?
Lebanon has a long and complicated history extending back to the Neolithic times. This was where the Phoenicians established their main city states. They were a Semitic people who were renowned for their trading and maritime skills (c2700-450BC). Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon range are mountainous areas that (pre-aircraft and roads) were a perfect hideaway for persecuted people. Later still, the Crusaders discovered this asset and built forts in Lebanon. The Greeks and Romans came and went as did the Byzantines, the Mameluks and countless others. After nearly four hundred years of occupation, the Ottoman Empire’s collapse post WWI meant that the five Ottoman mutasarrifat (provinces) making up Lebanon were mandated to France by the League of Nations. Lebanon finally gained independence in 1943, with French troops leaving in 1946. In the following years, Lebanon grew into a momentarily successful laissez faire economy where capitalism and minimal government intervention allowed it t
