Following the Treaty of Versailles that ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers, General Gouraud, French High Commissioner, visited Beirut on Sept 1st, 1920, and proclaimed Greater Lebanon as a State.

General Gouraud proclaims the creation and independence of the state of Greater Lebanon under the guardianship of the League of Nations represented by France from the porch of the Pine Residence in Beirut. Gouraud with Grand Mufti of Beirut Sheikh Mustafa Naja, and on his right is the Maronite Patriarch Elias Peter Hoayek. (Picture)