For example, up until 1950, many Lebanese who were born before 1920 considered themselves Syrians; that is why a Lebanese—and a Christian—Fares al-Khoury, was able to assume the position of Prime Minister of Syria in the 1940s.[3] Many who were considered Lebanese by the French mandate worked as Syrian educators, businessmen, traders, etc. and did not distinguish themselves from the Syrians as such.[3] As to border lines, they were fictitious in the eyes of the population, especially for those who were living on one side or the other of the border.