Crossword Genius

The French prohibition on a Middle East republic (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lebanon

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'a middle east republic' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'the french prohibition on' is the wordplay.
'the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'prohibition' becomes 'ban' (ban is a kind of prohibition).
'le'+'ban'+'on'='LEBANON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lebanon that I've seen before include "Beirut's country" , "Neighbour of Israel" , "Middle Eastern region" , "Middle East country" , "Nab Noel in eastern Med. country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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