In 1840, the Ottoman Empire with the support of the Prussian, Russian, and English navies, recaptured authority over Syria.
Sheik Bechara El Khoury, who was the first post-independence President of Lebanon, holding office from 21 September 1943 to 18 September 1952, turned the Serail into the presidential headquarters before moving it to the Qantari Palace in Beirut.