CELEBRATIONS HAVE BEEN HELD IN LEBANON TO MARK THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE AS THE UNEASY TRUCE BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S ARMY AND THE PALESTINIAN GUERRILLAS CONTINUES. ON SATURDAY (NOV. 22) -- INDEPENDENCE DAY -- MANY AMBASSADORS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES ATTENDED A RECEPTION AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE.

LEBANON WAS UNDER FRENCH MANDATE FOR 20 YEARS FROM 1923. AFTER THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF FRANCE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, LEBANON FOLLOWED THE COLLABORATION POLICY MAINTAINED BY THE VICHY REGIME UNTIL BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND FREE FRENCH FORCES OCCUPIED THE COUNTRY BY FORCE IN 1941. LEBANON GAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1943.

IN 1958 THE UNITED STATES LANDED SOLDIERS AND MARINES IN LEBANON AT THE REQUEST OF PRESIDENT CHAMOUN FOLLOWING FIVE MONTHS OF INSURRECTION.

EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY TOOK A STORMY TURN AGAIN RECENTLY WHEN FIGHTING ERUPTED BETWEEN THE LEBANESE ARMY AND ARAB COMMANDOS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO REGAINING CONTROL OF PALESTINE FROM THE ISRAELIS. THE COMMANDOS HAD BEEN LAUNCHING RAIDS AGAINST ISRAEL FOR LEBANESE TERRITORY. THERE HAS BEEN AN UNEASY TRUCE BETWEEN THE ARMY AND COMMANDOS SINCE BOTH SIDES MET IN CAIRO THREE WEEKS AGO.

IN HIS INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE THIS YEAR LEBANON'S PRESIDENT, MR. CHARLES HELOU, SAID THAT IN VIEW OF WHAT HE TERMED THE DANGEROUS SITUATION ACED BY THE ARAB WORLD, LEBANON SUPPORTED ARAB MEETINGS ON VARIOUS LEVELS TO DEFINE EACH COUNTRY'S DUTIES AND RIGHTS.