Lebanon - Country history and economic development

1516. Lebanon becomes part of the Ottoman Empire.

1920. French General Gouraud establishes Greater Lebanon with its present boundaries and with Beirut as its capital.

1926. First Lebanese constitution is promulgated.

1932. The first and only complete census is taken in Lebanon. Charles Dabbas, a Greek Orthodox, is elected the first president of Lebanon.

1936. Emile Iddi elected president.

1941. Lebanon gains independence from the French.

1943. General elections take place; Bishara al Khuri is elected president.

1945. Lebanon becomes a member of the Arab League and the United Nations (UN). French troops completely withdraw from the country, with the signing of the Franco-Lebanese Treaty.

1975. Civil war breaks out.

1978. The Riyadh Conference formally ends the Lebanese Civil War; Syria intervenes militarily in Lebanon.

1981. Fighting resumes.

1982. Israel invades Lebanon.

1989. Ta'if Accords officially ends civil war and sets power-sharing formula between Lebanon's religious groups.

1992. Prime Minister Hariri launches "Horizon 2000" reconstruction program.

1997. Entertainment tax is introduced. Custom duties are raised.

1998. Prime Minister Hariri resigns. Salim al-Hoss takes office.

2000. Israel withdraws its troops from South Lebanon. Prime Minister Hariri returns to office.