Lebanese Commemorative Medal
Lebanese Commemorative Medal - Bronze, high relief, obverse illustrating an upright palm branch with crossed swords at its base, inscribed "POUR LE LIBAN" (for Lebanon) in French and Arabic, engraver marked "M H ALTOUNIA", integral olive branch bar suspension inscribed "LIBAN" (Lebanon) in French and Arabic, reverse illustrating Lebanese cedars, a mountainous background beyond with a rising sun, dated "1926" in Roman and Arabic numerals, 30.5 mm x 41.2 mm, original ribbon, extremely fine. Footnote: The medal was established on March 9, 1926 by the Lebanese government and awarded to French troops who assisted in the creation and stabilization of the new state created under French protection at the end of World War I from a province of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, defending it from both tribal uprisings and attempts by Syria to occupy and annex it. The French government authorized its wear by French military by decree of June 16, 1927.