In the early days of the republic, the Pan-Arabist ideology came into clash with an ideology based on Phoenicianism.
Pan-Arabism emerged in the mid-1800s, advocating for the unification of multi-sectarian tribes who spoke similar dialects from North Africa, Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Phoenicianism was a way to promote a pan-sectarian identity within Lebanon by reviving an old civilization that formed the foundational heritage for all Lebanese sects.
Phoenicianism became perceived as a threat to some Lebanese, as it went as far as promoting the Latinization of the Lebanese dialect alphabet, and also held implications with regards to the state’s political relationship with Arab neighboring states.
Arabism became perceived as a threat to some Lebanese, as it could reduce the legitimacy of a sovereign Lebanese political entity and threaten its dissolution.
Lebanese society broke down into two camps, transforming the identity question into a divisive ideological battle, which had nothing to do with ethnicity, but rather with rigid normative values.
In reality, there is nothing more Phoenician than Arabism.
Firstly, just like the Greek, Latin and all Semitic alphabets, the Arabic alphabet traces its origins to the Phoenician alphabet. Arabic is therefore a consequence of the cultural evolution of Phoenician influence in the Semitic world.
Secondly, Lebanon was a core location for the birthplace of Arabism. Beirut was a key epicenter of The Arab Renaissance, with many prominent intellectuals like Butrus Al-Bustani and Jurji Zaydan acting as key figures.
Thirdly, despite being only 1% of the Arab population, Lebanon has been the main center of media, literature and publishing, accounting for over half of total production in the region.
Lebanon was one of six original members of the Arab League in 1945, and has since supported all Arab causes and helped spread Pan-Arabic values across the region.
The great cultural middlemen of Antiquity, who connected Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece decided to revive themselves and unite all the tribes of Arabia, the Levant and North Africa!