25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
