Lebanese Civil War

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== Lebanese Civil War ==

The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon, lasting from 1975 to 1990 and resulting in an estimated 120,000 fatalities. As of 2012, approximately 76,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon. The war caused significant damage to the country's infrastructure and led to the collapse of the Lebanese economy.

Background

The roots of the Lebanese Civil War can be traced back to the complex social and political structure of Lebanon, which is characterized by a delicate balance of power among various religious and ethnic groups. The National Pact, an unwritten agreement established in 1943, aimed to maintain this balance by distributing political power among the major religious communities: Maronite Christians, Sunni Muslims, and Shia Muslims.

Major Factions

The war involved numerous factions, including:

• The Lebanese Front, a coalition of mainly Christian parties.
• The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had established a significant presence in Lebanon.
• The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), led by Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt.
• The Amal Movement, a Shia political and military organization.
• The Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and militant group.
• The Syrian Army, which intervened in 1976 and remained in Lebanon until 2005.

Key Events

• 1975: The war began with a series of violent incidents, including the Bus Massacre in April, which escalated tensions between Christian and Muslim factions.
• 1976: The Syrian Army intervened, initially to support the Maronite-dominated government but later shifted its alliances.
• 1982: The Israeli invasion of Lebanon aimed to expel the PLO. The Siege of Beirut and the subsequent Sabra and Shatila massacre were significant events during this period.
• 1989: The Taif Agreement was brokered, which restructured the political system and aimed to end the conflict.
• 1990: The war officially ended with the defeat of General Michel Aoun's forces and the implementation of the Taif Agreement.

Consequences

The Lebanese Civil War had profound effects on Lebanon, including:

• Massive loss of life and displacement of people.
• Severe damage to infrastructure and the economy.
• The rise of new political and militant groups, such as Hezbollah.
• Continued political instability and sectarian tensions.

Related Pages

• Lebanon
• National Pact
• Maronite Church
• Sunni Islam
• Shia Islam
• Druze
• Palestine Liberation Organization
• Progressive Socialist Party
• Amal Movement
• Hezbollah
• Syrian Army
• Israeli invasion of Lebanon
• Taif Agreement
• Michel Aoun