The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)

Anticipating the downfall of the Ottoman Empire as a result of the First World War, Britain and France concluded a secret agreement in 1916 to define their spheres of influence and control in the Middle East, with the northern part (Galilee) under French control; and the southern part, Haifa port and the area to become Transjordan under British control or influence.

This agreement, known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement, was only partially implemented. The Paris Peace Conference of January 1919 and the San Remo conference of April 1920 allocated the whole of the Land of Israel (including the future Transjordan) and Iraq to the British as a direct mandate, and Syria (including present-day Lebanon) as a French mandate.