Are There Many Christians in Middle East? What Race Are They?

I ask because i know some lebanese people, they are catholic, but speak arabic. They tell me that back in time they didnt speak arabic, and are really from Phonicians or Canaanites. They also tell me that nearly half lebanese are Christian, and are from before arabs came there. Ive seen a couple of questions on here, and am now confused! What abut Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia etc?