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The Greater Lebanon
the League of Nations granted to France the mandate for Lebanon and Syria that formed the State of Greater Lebanon. -
The unwritten National Covenant
The foundations of the state are set out in an unwritten National Covenant which uses the 1932 census to distribute seats in parliament on a ratio of six-to-five in favour of Christians. This is later extended to other public offices. The president is to be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies a Shia Muslim. -
Independance of Lebanon
November-December - France agrees to transfer power to the Lebanese government from 1 January 1944. -
Arab Israeli War
Lebanon plays no active role in the Arab-Israeli war but is to be affected by its aftermath when Palestinians use Lebanon as a base for activities against Israel. -
Civil war Begins
Phalangist gunmen ambush a bus in the Ayn-al-Rummanah district of Beirut, killing 27 of its mainly Palestinian passengers. The Phalangists claim that guerrillas had previously attacked a church in the same district. (These clashes are regarded as the start of the civil war). -
Israel attacks
President-elect, Bachir Gemayel is assassinated. The following day, Israeli forces occupy West Beirut, and from 16 to 18 September, the Phalangist militia kill Palestinians in Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in West Beirut. -
Civil war ends
A Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination is signed in Damascus by Lebanon and Syria and a Higher Council, co-chaired by their two presidents, is established. -
"Operation Grapes of Wrath",
n which the Israelis bomb Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon, the southern district of Beirut and the Bekaa. An Israeli attack hits a UN base at Qana and results in the death of over 100 displaced Lebanese civilians sheltering there. -
Emile Lahoud President
Army head Emile Lahoud is sworn in as president, succeeding President Hrawi. -
Death of Rafik Hariri
Rafik Hariri is killed by a car bomb in Beirut. The attack sparks anti-Syrian rallies and the resignation of Prime Minister Omar Karami's cabinet. Calls for Syria to withdraw its troops intensify. -
pro- and anti-Syrian rallies in Beirut
Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese attend pro- and anti-Syrian rallies in Beirut.
Days after his resignation, pro-Syrian former PM Omar Karami is asked by the president to form a new government. -
Resignation of Mr Karami succeeded by pro-Syrian Najib Mikati. Syrian forces leave Lebanon.
Mr Karami resigns as PM after failing to form a government. He is succeeded by moderate pro-Syrian MP Najib Mikati.
Syria says its forces have left Lebanon, as demanded by the UN -
Power struggles, Death of Pierre Gemayel
Ministers from Hezbollah and the Amal movement resign shortly before the cabinet approves draft UN plans for a tribunal to try suspects in the killing of the former prime minister Hariri.
Leading Christian politician and government minister Pierre Gemayel is shot dead. -
Syria ties
Lebanon establishes diplomatic relations with Syria for first time since both countries gained independence in 1940s. -
Saad Hariri becomes Prime minister
2009 June - The pro-Western March 14 alliance led by Saad Hariri wins 71 of 128 seats in parliamentary elections while the rival March 8 alliance, led by Hezbollah, secures 57. Saad Hariri is nominated as prime minister. -
Border tension
Lebanese and Israeli troops exchange fire along border; two Lebanese soldiers, a senior Israeli officer and a journalist are killed. -
The issue of the UN tribunal
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah calls on Lebanese to boycott UN tribunal into 2005 killing of former PM Rafik Hariri, saying the tribunal is in league with Israel. -
The governement collapse and N. Mikati is designated Prime Minister
Government collapses after ministers from Hezbollah and its political allies resign. UN prosecutor issues sealed indictment for murder of Rafik Hariri. Najib Mikati appointed prime-minister designate and asked to form a new government. Weeks later the country remains without a government.