Independence promised, but only half-heartedly given and withheld...!
End of the Vichy Regime and Promises of Independence ...
When the Vichy Government assumed power over French territory in 1940, General Henri Frnand Dentz was appointed as high commissioner of Lebanon. This new turning point led to the resignation of Lebanese president Emile Edde on April 4, 1941. After 5 days, Dentz appointed Alfred Naccache for a presidency period that lasted only 3 months and ending with the surrender of the Vichy forces posted in Lebanon and Syria to the Free French and British troops. On July 14, 1941, an armistice was signed in Acre ending the clashes between the two sides and opening the way for General Charles De Gaulle's visit to Lebanon, thus ending Vichy's control.
Catroux proclaims Lebanese Independence in 1941!
Having the opportunity to discuss matters of sovereignty and independence, the Lebanese national leaders asked General Charles de Gaulle to end the French Mandate and unconditionally recognize Lebanon's independence. After national and international pressure, General Georges Catroux (a delegate general under de Gaulle) proclaimed in the name of his government the Lebanese independence on November 26, 1941. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the Arab States, the Soviet Union, and certain Asian countries recognized this independence, and some of them even exchanged ambassadors with Beirut. However this didn't stop the French from exercising their authority, and continuing to interfere, as if the country was still under French rule....
"On 26 November 1941, in order to thwart the British outbidding the French, Catroux, who was nominated general delegate of Free France in Syria and Lebanon, declared France’s recognition of the two countries’ independence and invited their respective governments to sign a new treaty with France to terminate the mandate. The declaration came to nothing. The Syrian and Lebanese independentists rejected the idea of a new treaty as there already was one, and the French retorted by claiming that independence could not be accomplished before the League of Nations relieved French of its mandate. Nevertheless, Catroux confirmed Alfred Naccache as president and continued to behave as an all-powerful high commissioner. Britain, the USA, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iraq immediately recognised the independence of the two countries."
Traboulsi, Fawwaz. History of Modern Lebanon, Pluto Press, 2007.