Byblos harbor; Byblos, was an important military base in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 11th and 12th century, The town was taken by Saladin in 1187, and eventually by Baibars in 1266. Its fortifications were subsequently restored. From 1516 until 1918, the town and the whole region were part of the Ottoman Empire. Byblos and all of Lebanon was placed under French Mandate from 1920 until 1943 when Lebanon achieved independence.