Lebanon: Country profile

By Peter Shadbolt and Eoghan Macguire, for CNN

Updated 1710 GMT (0110 HKT) August 10, 2012

Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943. Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Israel and Syria, the country is one of the smallest in the Middle East by area. Despite its compact size, Lebanon has played an important role in regional politics, security and commerce throughout its history.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
A history in pictures – Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943. Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Israel and Syria, the country is one of the smallest in the Middle East by area. Despite its compact size, Lebanon has played an important role in regional politics, security and commerce throughout its history.
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The formation of neighbouring Israel in 1948 led to an exodus of Palestinian refugees into southern Lebanon.The U.N. estimates that of Lebanon's 5 million residents, 455,000 are Palestinian refugees (like those pictured here in Beirut in 1973).According to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lebanon is home to 18 separate religious sects and several different ethnic groups.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Cultural and religious mix – The formation of neighbouring Israel in 1948 led to an exodus of Palestinian refugees into southern Lebanon.The U.N. estimates that of Lebanon's 5 million residents, 455,000 are Palestinian refugees (like those pictured here in Beirut in 1973).According to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lebanon is home to 18 separate religious sects and several different ethnic groups.
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The civil war broadly pitted Palestinian and pro-Palestinian Muslim militias against Lebanon's Christian militias, devastating the country in the process.<br /><br /> An estimated 150,000 people were killed during the course of the conflict whilst thousands more fled the country.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Civil conflict – The civil war broadly pitted Palestinian and pro-Palestinian Muslim militias against Lebanon's Christian militias, devastating the country in the process.

An estimated 150,000 people were killed during the course of the conflict whilst thousands more fled the country.
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Instability in Lebanon has drawn in soldiers from neighbouring Israel and Syria at various points in the country's history. In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon in a push to destroy the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).Israel kept troops in the south until 2000. In 2005 Syria withdrew troops that initially arrived in 1976.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Outside influence – Instability in Lebanon has drawn in soldiers from neighbouring Israel and Syria at various points in the country's history. In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon in a push to destroy the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).Israel kept troops in the south until 2000. In 2005 Syria withdrew troops that initially arrived in 1976.
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The Ta'if Accord, signed under the auspices of the Arab League in 1989, officially ended the civil war in 1990. To balance power among Lebanon's three main religious groups the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament is always a Shia Muslim. Pictured are the current president Michel Suleiman, (center), prime minister Najib Mikati, (right) and speaker of the parliament Nabih Berri, (left).
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Reconciled political process – The Ta'if Accord, signed under the auspices of the Arab League in 1989, officially ended the civil war in 1990. To balance power among Lebanon's three main religious groups the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament is always a Shia Muslim. Pictured are the current president Michel Suleiman, (center), prime minister Najib Mikati, (right) and speaker of the parliament Nabih Berri, (left).
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Lebanon's peace has at times been a fragile one. In 2005, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (pictured in the poster) was assassinated by a car bomb in central Beirut. Huge public demonstrations against Syria led to the withdrawal of all Syrian military forces in April 2005. The kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in 2006 led to a 34-day conflict with Israel that left approximately 1,200 civilians dead, according to the CIA World Factbook.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
A delicate peace – Lebanon's peace has at times been a fragile one. In 2005, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (pictured in the poster) was assassinated by a car bomb in central Beirut. Huge public demonstrations against Syria led to the withdrawal of all Syrian military forces in April 2005. The kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in 2006 led to a 34-day conflict with Israel that left approximately 1,200 civilians dead, according to the CIA World Factbook.
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Lebanon has been rebuilding its economy and infrastructure since the end of the civil war in 1990.Between 2006 and 2010 the economy grew at a supercharged 8% per annum -- thanks primarily to the services sector -- although this slowed to 1.5% in 2011, according to the CIA World Factbook
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Rebuilding the economy – Lebanon has been rebuilding its economy and infrastructure since the end of the civil war in 1990.Between 2006 and 2010 the economy grew at a supercharged 8% per annum -- thanks primarily to the services sector -- although this slowed to 1.5% in 2011, according to the CIA World Factbook
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Despite the turmoil of its recent history, Lebanon plays host to some of the liveliest cities in the Middle East. Beirut (pictured) is famed for its bustling night life and was known as the Paris of the Middle East. A number of important cultural sites can be found at Tripoli and Tyre.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Beirut by night – Despite the turmoil of its recent history, Lebanon plays host to some of the liveliest cities in the Middle East. Beirut (pictured) is famed for its bustling night life and was known as the Paris of the Middle East. A number of important cultural sites can be found at Tripoli and Tyre.
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In recent years Lebanon has rebranded itself as a trendy tourist destination, catering for a wide variety of religious, historic and leisure visitors. The country has six UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as 300 kilometers of beaches and seashore. More than 2 million people visited Lebanon in 2010 alone according to a World Bank report.
Photos: Lebanon: A history in pictures
Tourism destination – In recent years Lebanon has rebranded itself as a trendy tourist destination, catering for a wide variety of religious, historic and leisure visitors. The country has six UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as 300 kilometers of beaches and seashore. More than 2 million people visited Lebanon in 2010 alone according to a World Bank report.
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Lebanon is one of the few independent states in the world to feature a tree in its national flag (alongside Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Belize and Fiji). The cedar tree is an important symbol in the country's history, representing happiness, prosperity and resilience. It has been adopted by many Lebanese political parties and the country's national airline, Middle East Airlines.