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In 1914, with the onset of World War I, Ottoman Turks abrogated the Règlement Organique (1860-1864) that had freed the Mount Lebanon Mutassarifiyah (Governorate) from Ottoman rule. Turkish troops re-invaded the country and imposed a draconian military occupation.

A perfect storm of food and animal requisitions, forced conscription, and a locust epidemic caused a generalized famine. Resistance leaders were hanged in downtown Beirut. By the end of the war, one-third of Mount Lebanon’s population had perished, and one-third had emigrated.

Of the six siblings of my grandparents’ generation, four left the country for Latin America. My paternal grandfather, Youssef Ayoub Hitti, settled in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded the Arzit Lebnen newspaper in 1916, and assembled an armed company of volunteers to fight on the side of the Allied Powers and contribute to the liberation of Lebanon. Youssef returned in 1922 after Turkey's defeat and the Governorate's expansion to today’s Greater Lebanon. This site is dedicated to preserving and continuing his life’s work, the Arzit Lebnen newspaper. Learn more

Lebanon is Reaching an Irreversible Point of Inflexion

Lebanon is Reaching an Irreversible Point of Inflexion
The two Shiite Muslim parties in Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, are mobilizing their troops against the Lebanese ...
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The Tripartite US-Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement

The Tripartite US-Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement
The Iranian militia in Lebanon, Hezbollah, is seething with anger at the signing yesterday June 26, 2026, of a “framework ...
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From the Archives: “Yes to Solidarity, But the Truth Must be Told”

Yes to Solidarity, But the Truth Must be Told
Foreword by Youssef S. Hitti Twenty years ago, one of many Israel-Hezbollah wars was taking place, similar in every way ...
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From the archives: Past and Present History

From the archives Past and Present History
This past summer I took the Boston-New York train with my daughter Sarah on a trip to Ellis Island, that ...
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Trump-Netanyahu’s Dream: Squeeze Tiny Lebanon into Civil War

Trump-Netanyahu’s Dream: Squeeze Tiny Lebanon into Civil War
By: Hanibaal Atheos Date: 06-May-2026 A very large majority of Lebanon’s complex social composition wants the Iranian terror militia, Hezbollah, ...
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Trump and Netanyahu Want Lebanon Civil War

Trump and Netanyahu Want Lebanon Civil War
The Israelis have, it seems, reluctantly [See: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trumps-lebanon-ceasefire-takes-israel-225605289.html] agreed to a 10-day ceasefire between them and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Just ...
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Which kind of Lebanese are you?

Which kind of Lebanese are you
Daryl Champion. Daily Star staff. 20-January-2004. Blessed with a unique history but confused by a trend-obsessed culture, a reflection on national identity is in order.
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The President of Lebanon Must Act Decisively and Preemptively

The President of Lebanon Must Act Decisively and Preemptively
Edmond NicolasAustin, Texas10-March-2026 If I were the President of the Lebanese Republic, I should by now have the certaintythat my ...
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Lebanon’s Dual Muslim and Christian Wings: The Unsustainable Big Lie

Lebanon’s Dual Muslim and Christian Wings_
(Translated from Arabic) The lie began at the outset on September 1, 1920, and is still promoted today! Lebanon’s Muslims ...
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President Joseph Aoun and Donald Trump’s Russian Roulette

President Joseph Aoun and Donald Trump’s Russian Roulette
Donald Trump’s “art of the deal” in Lebanon is geared to give Netanyahu a life-saving escape. It involves pointing two ...
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