SykesPicot
The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret wartime accord of 1916 between Britain and France, with the assent of Russia, drawn up by diplomat Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot. Conceived during World War I, the agreement outlined how the Allies would divide the Ottoman Empire’s Middle Eastern territories after the anticipated collapse of Ottoman rule. It defined spheres of influence and control rather than independent states, with Palestine proposed for international administration, and distinct zones for French and British influence.
Under the plan, the French zone would cover much of the Levant, including present-day Syria and Lebanon,