Lebanon country profile

With its high literacy rate and traditional mercantile culture, Lebanon has traditionally been an important commercial hub for the Middle East.

It has also often been at the centre of Middle Eastern conflicts, despite its small size, because of its borders with Syria and Israel and its uniquely complex communal make-up.

Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druze are the main population groups in a country that has been a refuge for the region's minorities for centuries.

President: Michel Aoun

Michel Aoun was elected by parliament in October 2016, ending a political stalemate which had left the country without a head of state since May 2014.

He is the founder of the mainly Maronite Christian political party, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). He was army commander-in-chief from 1984 until 1989 and was appointed prime minister of the interim military government in 1988.

He launched an unsuccessful "liberation war" against the presence of Syrian forces in 1989 and fled to France in 1990. When Syrian troops left in 2005, he returned to form an alliance with pro-Syrian parties.

Prime minister: Najib Mikati

Najib Mikati, Lebanon's richest man, returned to head the government in September 2021, having served as prime minister twice before.

His appointment ended months of political paralysis, as the country struggled with a collapsing economy and nearly two years of protests demanding wholesale political reform.

Lebanon had been without a government since Hassan Diab resigned after a massive blast destroyed Beirut port and the surrounding area in August 2020.

Lebanon's broadcasting scene is developed, lively and diverse, and reflects the country's pluralism and divisions.

It was the first Arab country to permit private radio and TV. These outlets dominate the broadcasting scene and air some of the most outspoken TV talk shows in the region.

News websites have emerged as a key information source.

Some key dates in Lebanon's history:

1516-1918 - Lebanon is part of the Ottoman Empire.

Much of downtown Beirut has been rebuilt after being devastated during the civil war

1920 - The League of Nations grants the mandate for Lebanon and Syria to France, which creates the State of Greater Lebanon out of the provinces of Mount Lebanon, north Lebanon, south Lebanon and the Bekaa.

1926 - Lebanese Representative Council approves a constitution and the unified Lebanese Republic under the French mandate is declared.

1944 - France agrees to transfer power to the Lebanese government on 1 January.

1975-1990 - Lebanese civil war

1992 - After the first elections since 1972, wealthy businessman Rafik Hariri becomes prime minister.

Tourism and leisure are important to the Lebanese economy

2000 - Israel pulls out of south Lebanon

2005 - Former prime minister Rafik Hariri is killed by a car bomb in Beirut, sparking anti-Syrian rallies and a political crisis.