Beirut 1918: The Ottoman Exit That Changed Everything

In October 1918, as the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Beirut was cut loose from four centuries of imperial rule. This episode follows the chaotic transition in the days after the Ottoman withdrawal: the establishment of a makeshift Arab government under Faisal's banner, the arrival of French warships, and the power vacuum that pitted local notables, Allied interests, and emerging nationalist factions against each other. We focus on the brief Arab administration of Shukri al-Ayyubi and the role of the Beirut Reform Society in shaping post-war expectations. Through the eyes of observers like American consul William S. Buckler and Lebanese historian Asad Rustum, we trace how the city's elites navigated competing promises from Britain, France, and the Arab Revolt. The episode examines the fateful decisions made in those weeks, from the hoisting of the Arab flag over the Serail to the quiet negotiations that paved the way for French control. It's a story of hope, confusion, and the seeds of later conflict.

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