Lebanon officially the
Lebanese Republic , is a country in
Western Asia. It is bordered by
Syria to the north and east and
Israel to the south. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the
Mediterranean Basin and the
Arabian hinterland facilitated
its rich history and shaped
a cultural identity of
religious and
ethnic diversity.
The
earliest evidence of civilization in Lebanon dates back more than seven thousand years, predating
recorded history.
Lebanon was the home of the Canaanites/
Phoenicians and their kingdom, a maritime culture that flourished for over a thousand years (
c. 1550–539 BC). In 64 BC, the region came under the rule of the
Roman Empire, and eventually became one of the Empire's leading centers of
Christianity. In the
Mount Lebanon range a monastic tradition known as the
Maronite Church was established. As the
Arab Muslims conquered the region, the Maronites held onto their religion and identity. However, a new religious group, the
Druze, established themselves in Mount Lebanon as well, a religious divide that would last for centuries. During the
Crusades, the Maronites re-established contact with the
Roman Catholic Church
and asserted their communion with Rome. The ties they established with
the Latins have influenced the region into the modern era.
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Military
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has 72,000 active personnel,
including 1,100 in the air force, and 1,000 in the navy.
The Lebanese Armed Forces' primary missions include defending Lebanon
and its citizens against external aggression, maintaining internal
stability and security, confronting threats against the country's vital
interests, engaging in social development activities, and undertaking
relief operations in coordination with public and humanitarian
institutions.
Lebanon is a major recipient of foreign military aid.
With more than $400 million since 2005, it is the second largest per capita recipient of American military aid behind Israel.
Thank you very much to my colleague,Bilal :)