The independence of Syria and Lebanon

06The independence of Syria and Lebanon

Syria

• The French entered Syria and Lebanon believing they would exercise their former authorities — something the masses refused.
• The English government, far-sighted, declared that it respected the wishes of peoples for independence, and so helped to undermine French colonialism.
• The masses moved demanding independence, and the French were obliged to retreat before the national pressure: the parliament met in 1943 and chose Shukri al-Quwatli as president of the republic.
• In 1945 the French government revealed its colonial intentions by working to seize the authorities in Syria; the people resisted, and its aircraft and tanks fell on them with destructive bombardment.
• The Arab countries rose in support of Syria's independence, and England and the United States stood beside the Syrian national movement, until the French were obliged to evacuate the country in April 1946.

Lebanon

• Much the same happened in Lebanon: the parliament met and Beshara el-Khuri won the presidency in 1943, and Riad el-Solh formed a national ministry with himself at its head.
• The French harboured the idea of overthrowing the national government and arrested Beshara el-Khuri and Riad el-Solh, imprisoning them at Rachaya. The country was thrown into disorder; the Lebanese declared their hold on their government and their full independence; the Arab countries stood in solidarity, Egypt at their head, and the great majority of states did likewise, led by France's own allies England and the United States.
• The French were obliged to release the prisoners, the affairs of government returned to the nationalists, and the final French evacuation of Lebanon took place at the end of December 1946.