تطور المجالس التمثيلية في لبنان

The Development of Representative Councils in Lebanon

• Representative councils evolved between 1861 and 1925.
• In 1861, a council of 12 members governed Mount Lebanon.
• In 1920, the High Commissioner Henry Gouraud replaced the council with a 17-member administrative committee representing various Lebanese sects.
• In 1922, Gouraud established a 20-member representative council elected by popular vote.
• In 1925, General Maurice Sarrail dissolved the first representative council and organized new elections, leading to a 30-member council. This council became the Constituent Assembly, responsible for drafting the Lebanese constitution. After ratification, it became the House of Representatives.

Roles of the Councils

• The councils were advisory only and lacked legislative or oversight powers.
• Actual control remained with the French Mandate authority.

Organization of Greater Lebanon

• Lebanon, upon declaration, saw various administrative, financial, security, educational, and economic organizations.
• The 1920-1926 period marked French rule in Lebanon.
• Lebanon was divided into four governorates in September 1920: North Lebanon (Zgharta), Mount Lebanon (Baabda), South Lebanon (Sidon), and Beqaa (Baalbek).
• Governorates were subdivided into districts, then into sub-districts/departments, each with city, town, and village leadership.
• Beirut and Tripoli were designated as key cities.
• Election and local government laws were implemented.