Lebanese Nationalism

Lebanese nationalism is a nationalistic ideology that considers the Lebanese people, are a distinguished nation independent from the Arab nation. It considers Lebanese sometimes a Phoenician and sometimes a Syriac people.

This ideology has its roots in the 19th century sectarian wars in Mount Lebanon between the Maronites and Druze. It took its formalized form during the inter-war period and the French Mandate of Syria, when it served primarily as a tool in opposing Arab nationalism and in justifying the existence of the nascent country of Lebanon.

During the 20th century and the Lebanese Civil War, Lebanese nationalism was associated with the Kataeb Party and the secularist movement Guardians of the Cedars.