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The Lebanese government is republic. There are five governments. They are Beirut, Al Biqa, Jabal Lubnan, and Al Shamal. Lebanon received independence on November 1943 from the League of Nations mandate under French administration, though its constitution dates back to 1926. The legal system of Lebanon is a mixture of Ottoman law, Canon law, Napolecionic code, and civil law. It has not accepted compulsory International court of Justice jurisdictaion. .
The exclusive branch of the government is headed by the President, prime minister of a cabinet. The president is elected by the National Assembly for a six year term. The prime minister and deputy prime minister are appointed by the president with the advice of the National Assembly. The cabinet is chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly.
The legislative branch of the Lebanese government is a unicameral National Assembly. There are 128 seats with members elected by popular vote. Political parties in Lebanon are organized along secertarian lines and numerous political groupings exist.
Back then, Lebanon consisted of 50 percent Christian and 50 percent Muslim, which was relatively stable. After the creation of Israel, Lebanon became home to some of the Palestinians. In 1975, a civil war broke out between Christians and a Muslim Lebanese-Palestinian coalition. In 1978, Israel invaded southern Lebanon in an attempt to destroy Palestinian bases and to get a foothold at the headwaters of the Jordan River. They withdrew three months later when a United Nations peacekeeping force was sent to the area. But, they reinvaded in 1982 occupying Beirut. Western European troops went to Lebanon to protect Palestinian and Muslim civilians. Israel withdrew to southern Lebanon. A bloody civil war continued in the country until 1989. In 1992, the government embarked on a course of economic development and revitalization.
