Nejmeh and Ansar were both born in the post-World War II period. Nejmeh, Arabic for "Star", were founded in 1945 in Beirut, shortly after the independence of Lebanon. Their city rivals Ansar, Arabic for "The Helpers", were actually established in 1951 outside Beirut because the Lebanese capital already had one sports club per 10,000 inhabitants, as designated by the authorities, meaning the club set up in Mount Lebanon to the south of the city.