ABSTRACT
In 1946, the evacuation of the French left Lebanon nominally 'independent' for the first time in the modern era. Independent Lebanon, thus, had both a democratic constitution, and some experience of democratic practice. But in the workings of Lebanese democracy, many traces of the country's older political traditions continued to be evident. The constitution had provided for a French-style system in Lebanon, with the prime emphasis laid on the role of a strong president. Parliamentary elections were held on schedule in Lebanon, from independence right down to 1976, when the sitting parliament started extending its own term. Lebanon's relations with independent Syria were further complicated by the fact that it had long been a basic tenet of Syrian nationalists that Lebanon was an integral part of Syria. In many outlying areas of the Beqaa and the Akkar, rebel forces were easily able to take control, backed up by a stream of logistical help from across the border in Syria.
