Middle East
Egypt
European influence in Egypt dates back to the 18th century. Napolean Bonaparte invaded on July 1, 1798 in hopes of disrupting the British empire and give France an edge against British India. The French remained in Egypt for three years and were permitted to evacuate in 1801 due to disease and heavy attacks from Turkish-British forces. French military advisors were asked back to organize the Egyptian army, but most of the contacts happened in the 20th century with French and British attacks on the Suez Canal that were finally ceased in 1956 due to worldwide pressures. Today, French is widely understood by the educated classes in Egypt.
Golan Heights
In the atlas world database, the Golan Heights are listed separately from Israel and Syria. The French influence in this country happens while it is still a part of Syria in 1916, and thus contains the same information. However, in 1967, Israeli forces took the Golan Heights from Syria. They were allegedly given back to Syra in the 1974 settlement by U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger.
Lebanon
During World War I, France was given a League of Nations mandate over Lebanon and Syria, which were previously one political unit in the Ottoman Empire. France divided them in 1920. Most of the powers exercised by the French government were transfered to the Lebanese government in 1944. In 1946 Lebanon gained independence and was no longer a protectorate of France. According to the 1995 World Fact Book, French is one of the official languages of Lebanon.
Syria
Syria first experienced European powers in 1516 with the Ottoman empire. In 1916, a secret Anglo-French pact left Syria in the French zone of influence. France was given a mandate over Syria in World War I by the League of Nations. In 1930, France recognized Syria as an independent republic still subject to the mandate; however, due to nationalist demonstrations in 1939, the French High Commissioner suspended their Constitution. In 1946, Syria stopped being a protectorate and finally gained independence from France. Today, French is widely understood by the people of Syria.