President Chamoun, a pro-Western leader, did non break the diplomatic relations with Western governments during the Suez Crisis, making President Nasser his enemy.
Lebasese Moslems pushed the government to join the newly created United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria), while Christians wanted to keep Lebanon aligned with Western Powers. A Moslim Rebellion and the toppling of a pro Western government in Iraq caused President Chamoun to call for U.S. assistance.