What is the capital of Lebanon?

The capital of Lebanon is Beirut. Located on a peninsula along the Mediterranean coast, Beirut is Lebanon’s largest city and its principal political, commercial, cultural, and financial center.

Beirut has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years. Its name is linked to the ancient settlement of Berytus, which became a prominent Roman colony and was especially famous for its law school. The city’s position on the eastern Mediterranean helped it develop as a port and as a meeting point for cultures, languages, and trade routes.

Beirut is the seat of Lebanon’s national government. The Parliament, ministries, diplomatic missions, and many major financial institutions are located there. The city has repeatedly endured severe disruption, including the Lebanese Civil War, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the devastating Port of Beirut explosion in 2020.

The alternatives are historic or important Lebanese cities, not rival capitals. Byblos is an ancient coastal city, Sidon is a major southern port, and Tripoli is Lebanon’s second-largest city and an important northern center. Beirut is the country’s established national capital.