[2] After its victory over the Ottomans in 1831, an Egyptian military contingent, led by Ibrahim Pasha set up camp on the western slope of the strategic extramural hill overlooking Beirut.

[2] The hill overlooked Suq-al Munajjidin (the weavers' bazaar), now replaced with Banks Street, and skirting Tal’at al Amrican and the city gate Bab Yaacub.

In his book "Taqwim al-Ikbal" Sheik Abdel Basit al-Unsi describes the hill as being "well situated, west of the city, away from the population and overseeing the sea and Beirut".

[3] In 1840, the Ottoman Empire with the support of the Prussian, Russian, and English navies, recaptured Syria from Ibrahim Pasha and set up its military base there.

however the war that raged through Beirut destroyed most parts of the courthouse and turned them into ruins until prime minister Rafik Hariri donated the sum needed for its reconstruction and renovation.

The ceremonial laying of the first stone took place on 9 January 1897 (the birthday of the Sultan) in the presence of high officials, military representatives and members of the municipality of Beirut.

[6] In 1918 after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World war one, the Flag of the Arab Revolt was briefly hoisted over the Grand Serail until the arrival of the allied forces who entered Lebanon by land and from the sea and occupied Beirut and the entire Lebanese coast on 8 October 1918.

French colonel Depiepape was appointed by the commander of the allied forces General Allenby, he took control of the grand Serail and became the military governor of the country.

The French also removed a crown from over the arch of the northern entrance because it contained an engraved marble tablet showing the symbol of the Ottoman Empire.

[8] Prime Minister Hassan Diab's wife and daughter sustained minor injuries, while his health advisor, Petra Khoury, was taken from the palace to the hospital for cuts that required stitching.

In the middle of entrance's arch a marble tablet was inscribed under the request of prime minister Rafik Hariri which reads: Arabic: لو دامت لغيرك لما اتصلت إليك, romanized: If political rule lasts perpetually for anyone, it would not have reached you.

This floor has four miniature neo-orientalist style balconies topped by the four large French made clock faces which were especially imported by the Ottoman embassy.