You are correct, but it is also right on the border with Syria. You are also right about Syrian muscle in Lebanon.
It is right on the border, yes. I spent a year working in Damascus, and 6 months in Beirut, in 2006-7, and used to drive through the Bekaa between the two. The border is right at the top of the mountain as you come up out of the valley. Beautiful scenery, shame it’s such a mess in other ways - they make some good wine there, too.