Editing History of Lebanon (section)

===Mamluk rule===
Muslim control of Lebanon was reestablished in the late 13th century under the [[Mamluk Sultanate|Mamluk sultans of Egypt]], who reinstated Sunni Islamic dominance. Initially sacking Crusader towns and punishing perceived infidels and heretics in the mountains, the Mamluks later became more discerning in their actions. They demolished less fortified ports south of Sidon, and reconstructed Sidon, Beirut, and Tripoli. This resulted in the decline of Tyre while propelling Tripoli to prominence as the region's foremost port town. Now a provincial capital, Tripoli evolved into a center for Sunni religious education and became the primary hub for long-distance trade in Syria. The Mamluks also invested in [[Baalbek]] as an inland center.<ref name=":4" />

Despite facing the devastating impact of the [[Black Death]] in 1348–1349, which reduced the population by a third and curtailed economic activity for over two centuries, the Mamluks contributed to the enduring architectural legacy of the region, including the restoration of the Crusader [[Citadel of Tripoli]] and the construction of stone buildings and mosques.<ref name=":4" />