History

The National Order of the Cedar was initially instituted by Government Decree on December 31, 1936; but was maintained following Lebanon's independence in 1943. The Order is conferred in 5 Classes, plus a Collar, as Lebanon's second highest civil and military honour, behind the Order of Merit Extraordinary and Grand Cordon Class. The Order is often presented by the President of the Republic of Lebanon in recognition of exceptional service to Lebanon, acts of courage, demonstrations of great devotion and moral value, and for public service. Initial appointments to the Order are always made to the Knight Class. Foreigners and ladies may also be eligible for the award.

The Order may also be presented posthumously.

The Knight is awarded to Officers in recognition of 20 years of distinguished service, Officers who have served for 15 years and have already been recognized with the award of the War Medal or the wound Medal, or Officers, regardless of time served, who have demonstrated acts of bravery or who have incurred serious wounds while on operation or acting in the maintenance of law and order. Personnel of the rank of Warrant Officers and below who have previously been recognized with the award of the Military Medal may also be eligible for the award of the Knight Class in exceptional circumstances, including acts of bravery or serious wounds incurred in the line of duty.

Members of the Knight Class are entitled to an annual monetary award of approximately LL150.

There are 2 versions of the Knight Decoration which vary by inscription. Early versions feature a French inscription and an Arabic inscription which translates to "Lebanon" on the obverse, as well as a French flag superimposed on the reverse. Versions of the Decoration issued post-independence omit the French obverse inscription and feature a Lebanese flag on the reverse. The date of institution of post-independence Decorations is uncertain, with sources ranging from 1943 to 1959.

There may be additional versions of the Decoration which vary by design, but more research is needed.

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