Armenians of Lebanon

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The Armenians of Lebanon are Lebanese citizens of Armenian descent. There has been an Armenian presence in Lebanon for centuries. While there has not been a census for a few decades, because the balance between Christians and Muslims is considered to be a volatile subject, it is estimated that there are between 175,000 to 250,000 Armenians in Lebanon. Prior to the war, that number was estimated to be around 350,000.

History

Armenians first established contact with Lebanon when Tigranes the Great conquered Phoenicia from the Seleucids and made it part of the short lived, Armenian Empire. When the Roman Empire established its rule over both Armenia and ancient Lebanon, some Roman troops of Armenian origin went there in order to accomplish their duties as Romans. After Armenia converted to Christianity in 301, Armenian pilgrims established contact with Lebanon and its people on their way to Jerusalem; some of whom even settled there.

The Armenian presence in Lebanon during the Ottoman period was minimal, however, there was a large influx of Armenians after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The refugees endured many difficulties and had to adapt to the Arab lifestyle. When Armenians first came to Lebanon they inhabited the area of Karantina. Later on, in Bourj Hammoud, a thriving Armenian community was formed. In 1939, after the French ceded the Syrian territory of Iskenderun to Kemalist Turkey, Armenians, other Christians and Arabs from the area moved to the Bekaa Valley. The Armenians were grouped in Anjar, where a community exists to this day.

During the Lebanese Civil War, Armenians, grouped in Bourj Hammoud and Anjar, did their best to remain neutral. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation was the leading political party and had significant influence in all facets of Armenian life during the war. Various Armenian terrorist groups, such as ASALA established their headquarters in Lebanon, and used it as a launching pad for their operations.

Thousands of Armenians left Lebanon in search of peace in North America, Western Europe, and elsewhere.

Notable Lebanese Armenians

Karim Pakradouni – politician
Dawood Pasha – Ottoman Armenian governor
Ohannes Pasha – Ottoman Armenian mutasarrif
Pierre Shammassian – comedian
Guy Manoukian – Pianist, Composer

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