1943 - 1958

1943, December - France agrees to the transfer of power to the Lebanese government with effect from 1 January 1944.

1957 - President Kamil Sham'un accepts the Eisenhower Doctrine, announced in January, which offers US economic and military aid to Middle Eastern countries to counteract Soviet influence in the region.

1958, July 14 - Faced with increasing opposition that develops into a civil war, President Sham'un asks the United States to send troops to preserve Lebanon's independence.

1958, July 15 - The United States, mindful of Iraq's overthrow of its monarchy, sends marines to re-establish the government's authority.