Why did some Muslims in Beirut support Pan-Arabism after Greater Lebanon was created?

Following the creation of Greater Lebanon in 1920, the population was roughly divided between Christians and Muslims. Many Muslims, particularly in Beirut, did not wish to be ruled by France or to be part of an independent Lebanon. Instead, a large section of this population preferred to form part of a larger Syrian or Arab state.12

This desire for inclusion in a broader Arab entity was rooted in the nationalist movement of Pan-Arabism, which emphasized cultural and political unity among Arab countries. For many, this identity offered an alternative to the political structure of the new Lebanese state, which was traditionally dominated by Maronite interests under the French mandate. Even after Lebanon achieved independence, the appeal of Pan-Arabism remained significant among many Lebanese Muslims, who often viewed regional movements—such as the United Arab Republic—with strong support.31245