The concept of mutual coexistence among the various Lebanese sects and their “proper political representation” became the primary goal. 

The accord restored the balance of power between the sects by changing Lebanon's political structure.

This occurred after the Maronite Christian community had been accorded a special position in Lebanon throughout the era of French control.

The number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies was increased to 128, which were divided equally between Muslims and Christians, and an equally divided government was formed. 

Thus, the accord changed the Christian-favored power-sharing formula to a 50/50 ratio.

3 most important government positions:
- The President: Maronite
-The Prime Minister: Muslim Sunni
-The Speaker of the Parliament: Muslim Shia



University of San Diego

Nearby countries such as Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Libya had a say in the Lebanese crisis at one time. For example, Syria, which has one of the largest armies among Arab countries, and Israel both invaded Lebanon for long periods of time. Local Lebanese forces allied with foreign regional powers in both occupations to strengthen their own roles within the government. Regional states like Saudi Arabia, as well as foreign forces like the United Kingdom, France, and the United States all played political and military roles in Lebanon at some point. As a result, the Lebanese civil war was an internationalized civil war. After 15 years of bombings and massacres that took over 150,000 lives, the Arab League mediated a peace treaty that enabled the various groups to come to terms. 


Historical context 1

Bahout, J. (2016). The Unraveling of Lebanon's Taif Agreement: Limits of Sect-based Power Sharing (Vol. 16). Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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