Major events in Syria-Lebanon history

1920: France, the colonial power in Syria and Lebanon, declares a Lebanese state with its current borders, adding to it regions that were part of the Ottoman province of Syria.

1943: France grants independence to Lebanon. Syria becomes independent three years later, refusing to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon.

1976: Syrian forces move into Lebanon as peacekeepers after the country is engulfed in civil war but are drawn into the conflict.

1982: Israel invades Lebanon to drive out Palestinian guerrillas, clashes with Syrian forces.

1990: Lebanon's 15-year civil war ends with Syrian forces defeating opponents, controlling large parts of the country and installing allied governments in Beirut.

2000: Bashar Assad becomes president of Syria, succeeding his late father, Hafez Assad. Israel withdraws from south Lebanon, and pressure increases on Syria to leave.

2005: Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri is assassinated and Syria is blamed. Damascus denies involvement, but amid sweeping street protests, is forced to withdraw its forces. It keeps a grip on the country through Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group it supports alongside its ally, Iran.

2006: Hezbollah and Israel fight to a standstill in a 34-day war.

2008: Israel and Syria launch indirect peace talks.

2008: Syria agrees to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon but is likely to continue to exercise influence through Hezbollah, now a partner in the Lebanese Cabinet.