Did Syria gain economical benefits from occupying Lebanon?
Yes. Syria, which is 18 times larger than Lebanon, vastly depended on Lebanon to revive its torn socialist economical system during its occupation of Lebanon. Its benefits were characterized in three major points: 1.Lebanon has the only free market among Arab countries. Syrians working in Lebanon would get an average wage that is 8 times more than they get in Syria. Protected by the Syrian occupying forces, around 1.5 million illegal-untaxed Syrians work in Lebanon. Most of them work within 3 hour-drive from their homes in Syria. Getting all what they need from economically-advanced Lebanon while being able to spend the weekends with their families; Lebanon is the ‘American dream’ for many Syrians who financially support about 50% of the Syrian population. 2.Syria with more than 80% desert-land is in need for the water of the Lebanese mountains. The Syrian-appointed government in Lebanon granted the Syrian regime all what it needs to ‘legally’ steal the water and the natural resources
