Tensions rise after Lebanon’s prime minister ‘quits’

Q: Lebanon’s prime minister appeared on television in Saudi Arabia to say he was resigning because he feared assassination by agents of Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. But it was later reported that the Saudis had kidnapped the prime minister and forced him to quit because he would not confront the Hezbollah group. Where is the small nation of Lebanon on the Mediterranean Sea?

Circle the area on this map


Q: The Saudis have denied holding the prime minister. Saudi Arabia and Iran are major rivals in the Middle East region and have been backing opposing sides in civil wars in Yemen and what nation that borders Lebanon to the north and east?

A. Iraq

B. Israel

C. Jordan

D. Syria

Q: Lebanon’s Muslim population is evenly split between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam. Iran has world’s largest population of . . .

A. Shia Muslims

B. Sunni Muslims

Q: Which major power has sent troops to support Syria’s Shia-led government fighting Sunni rebels?

A. China

B. Russia

C. United States

D. All of the above

Q: Besides Shia and Sunni Muslims who make up 54% of Lebanon’s population, 40% of the people are Christians and nearly 6% are Druze. The nation suffered through 15 years of religious civil war including occupations by both Syria and Israel. Which nation did NOT send troops to Lebanon during its civil war?

A. France

B. Iran

C. Russia

D. United States


Answers for this quiz: Click here