THE TRUTH ABOUT LEBANON

Lebanese Americans realize that the tragic events in Lebanon have been confusing to everyone. Misinformation, bias reporting and narrow political interests have left most Americans at a loss as to the reality of the Lebanese Tragedy and whether they should even care. 

The purpose of this pamphlet is to clarify the events surrounding Lebanon in digest form. It presents the facts pertaining to the major milestone events from 1943 to the current date.  

One of the basic misconceptions surrounding Lebanon is that it is a French creation, which did not exist prior to 1920. The truth is that the Lebanese have one of the oldest continuous histories in the world, having existed in an independent or autonomous form for thousands of years, since the beginning of documented history. In fact Western Civilization had its roots in Lebanon long before the Greeks and Romans adopted it. Ever since and throughout the centuries the Lebanese have been constant contributors to Western Civilization and Culture. 

Prior to the problems, which commenced in 1975, Lebanon was a highly respected democracy with one of the most liberal atmospheres in the world. It was the commercial, banking, educational and cultural center of the Middle East. Lebanon was commonly referred to as "the Jewel of the Mediterranean." 

America and the free world, had more of an obligation to defend Lebanon (a Free Democracy) from the aggression of her neighbors and international terrorists, who used Lebanese territory to launch their world wide offensive on Western interests, than they did to defend Kuwait (an Absolute Monarchy) from the aggression of her neighbor Iraq, but they failed to do so. 

The offensive against Lebanon, and the relentless effort to eliminate its existence is only the first step in the march against Western Civilization and the Free World. It is not too late for America and the free world to right this wrong. Lebanon too has the right to her sovereignty. Please join us in our effort to see justice done in Lebanon, and stem the anti-Western expansion while we still can. 

SERIES OF EVENTS IN LEBANON 

                 1943

Lebanon gains full independence from the French Mandate. 

                 1945

Lebanon becomes a co-founder of the United Nations, and a Co-author of the U.N. Human Rights Charter. 

         1948-1967

The Arab-Israeli war in Palestine caused a mass exodus of Palestinians into Lebanon and  other Neighboring countries. 

                 1949

Lebanon becomes the only country to sign a non-aggression treaty with Israel. A treaty which Lebanon still adheres to this date. 

         1969-1975

Lebanese-Palestinian tension builds up due to increased PLO military strength and constant interference in Lebanese Affairs. This results in several clashes between the Lebanese Army and the PLO. All ended under Arab threat to invade if the PLO is not allowed full freedom of operations over and beyond the limits of Lebanese Law. 

                 1969

Shortly after the First Lebanese-Palestinian military clash, Lebanon is forced by the Arab League, under threat of Arms, to accept the "Cairo Agreement", which forbids the Lebanese from interfering with PLO movements in Lebanon, virtually creating a Palestinian State within the Lebanese State. Lebanese appeals to the West fell on deaf ears.  

                 1970

The Jordanian Army expels the PLO through a bloody battle. Most PLO fighters are secretly channeled into Lebanon via Syria, along with vast amounts of weapons and Syrian advisors. 

         1975-1976

Lebanese-Palestinian tension explodes into all-out war, erroneously referred to as a civil war, due to the large scale participation of Lebanese civilians in defending their country, against enormous odds. A small number of Lebanese Arab Nationals (Arab Nationalism does not recognize the existence of Lebanon as a sovereign state.) aided the PLO attempt to eliminate the Lebanese State. 

                 1976

1 - Syria's president Hafez Al-Assad sends 40,000 troops into Lebanon under the banner of the Palestine Liberation Army. Thus began the Syrian strangle hold on Lebanon, with Syria acting as the main power broker. In an attempt to dissolve and devour Lebanon, Assad trained and armed numerous gangs with catchy political slogans and supplied them with ample finances derived from the lucrative drug production in the bekaa valley. The Syrian Army regularly shifted sides in the gang warfare to assure the mutual survival of all, hence sapping the Lebanese Government's capacity to re-impose law and order. Any attempts by the Lebanese to disarm the Syrian surrogates was meat with severe and brutal Syrian offensives. The Syrians also established occupied Lebanon as the main breeding ground for international terrorism. 

2 - In pretence of resolving the problems, the Arab League mandates a peace keeping force to patrol Lebanon, made mostly of Syrian soldiers already on Lebanese soil. The original mandate called for PLO participation in the force, which was later dropped. The mandate legitimized the Syrian occupation. 

                 1977

All participants in the peace keeping force other than Syria withdrew their troops after incurring major losses from attacks by Syrian trained and equipped militias. 

                 1978

1 - Lebanese Nationals rise against Syrian occupation, expelling Syrian troops from the Central mountain -East of Beirut, and establishing an enclave free from foreign occupation. 

2 - Israel invades South Lebanon, delivering a hard blow to the PLO. The Israelis quickly withdrew back within their borders, leaving behind the newly established South Lebanon Army in control of a border strip as a buffer. 

         1979-1981

All attempts by Lebanese Nationals to connect the free enclave to major adjacent population centers, like Zahle and Bcharre, were frustrated by brutal Syrian offensives on the enclave and the centers in question. 

         1980-1982

The Iranian Fundamentalist Revolution spreads to parts of the Lebanese Shiite communities with Syrian assistance. Thousands of Iranian Revolutionary Guards arrive in Lebanon. 

                 1982

1 - Israel invades Lebanon, reaching Beirut and expelling the PLO and the Syrian Army from South and Central Lebanon. 

2 - A Multi-National force of U.S., French, British and Italian troops took post in Beirut to oversee the PLO evacuation and help in the re-establishment of Lebanese authority over its territory.

                 1983

1 - Under U.S. sponsorship, Israel withdraws to the "security zone" and signs an agreement with Lebanon, otherwise known as the May 17th agreement. 

2 - Iranian and Syrian sponsored bombings took the lives of 261 Marines and 59 French paratroopers, leading to the evacuation of the Multi-National forces and abandoning Lebanon to its fate. 

                 1984

The Lebanese come under increasing pressure to abrogate the May 17th agreement with Israel. With the Lebanese loosing ground to the Syrians and Iranians, and Israel and the U.S. unwilling to assist, Lebanon was forced to abrogate. 

                 1985

1 - Syrian troops attack Tripoly in North Lebanon, eliminating Arafat's last strong hold and establishing full control over all Palestinian Military power in Lebanon. 

2 - Syrian and Iranian agents begin abducting Westerners living in Lebanon in an effort to pressure the West to abandon Lebanon and to isolate Lebanon to facilitate it dissolution. 

         1986-1988

After failing to extrude surrender treaties from the Lebanese, the Syrians, through pressure on Muslim politicians in areas under their control, including numerous assassinations of dissenters, paralyzed the Lebanese Government and prevented presidential elections in an attempt to erase the last symbol of Lebanese independence. 

                 1988

When it became apparent that a fair presidential election could not be held, with Syria controlling a large part of the country, President Amin Gemayel, with his term running out, appointed the commander of the Lebanese Army, General Michel Aoun, as Prime Minister of a transitional government until fair elections could be held. 

                 1989

1 - The Lebanese Government moves to close down illegal ports used by the Syrians to smuggle Drugs and contraband from occupied Lebanese territory. the Syrians retaliated by placing a land, air and sea blockade on the Lebanese Government controlled areas, and commenced with a massive bombardment campaign of the resident population. 

2 - U.S. pressure prevents the U.N. from intervening in the Syrian-Lebanese struggle, and relegates the issue to the Arab League. The Arabs, under U.S. sponsorship, imposed the "Taif Agreement" on ex-members of a dissolved parliament; in affect reducing Lebanon to a Syrian protectorate. The first "Taif President", Rene Moawad, was assassinated upon attempting to reach a compromise with the Legal Government. He was quickly replaced by Elias Hrawi, "elected" in the Syrian Secret Police Headquarters. 

                 1990

While the West was occupied with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Syria take advantage of the Gulf crisis and invades the remaining free areas of Lebanon. There was no Western or International condemnation of Syria's actions because Syria's "assistance" was needed in the Gulf. Afterwards, Syria installed a puppet regime to complete Lebanon's disolution and intgration into Greater Syria. 

                 1991

The Syrian controled government signs several treaties with Syria giving the Syrian Government a free hand in Lebanon and granting Syria full control over all Lebanese institutions (Political, Military, Educational, etc.) Subversive measures became the norm for dealing with all who dare dissent. 

                 1992

Syria and its ally Iran continue to strengthen their intrenchment into every aspect of Lebanese affairs, eliminating all freedoms previously granted lebanese citizens

In August, in spite of overwehlming International and Domestic opposition, Syria staged mock election to cloak the appointment of its agents to the Lebanese Parliament. The new "Parliament" now includes prominant Terrorists, Hostage Takers and Drug Traffickers, many of whom are wanted in the U.S. for international crimes. 

   CONCLUSION

Through extensive propaganda, the conflict in Lebanon was sought to be portrayed as an internal sectarian civil war over reforms. Actually, by sponsoring and aiding drug gangs, terrorists and extremists, Lebanon's neighbors have created a cover for their occupation and attempted dissolution of Lebanon. The real conflict is over Western influence and presence in the Middle East. Lebanon, Particularly its Christian population, symbolized this presence and hence became the prime target of anti-Western forces such as Syria and Iran. 

The West has an obligation to help Lebanon regain its earlier status, both for the sake of freedom and for the future interests of the Western world, which requires continued strong relations with the Middle East.The West would suffer greatly if the Syrian-Iranian axis succeeds in its eviction from that region.

FACTS ON LEBANON 

Official Name: The Republic of Lebanon

Capital: Beirut

Form of Government: Parliamentary Republic

President: Elected by the Legislature for six-year term

Legislature: Parliament ( four-year term) 

Area:    4,015 Sq. Miles

                        North-South Distance: 120 miles

                        East-West Distance: 35 miles Average

                        Coastline: 130 miles 

Population (Resident): 4.5 million est. 

Major Religious Groups: Christians, Muslims, Druzes 

Boundaries:            North & East: Syria

                                    South: Israel

                                    West: the Mediterranean Sea 

Chief Economic Sectors:

            Agriculture: Olives, Citrus Fruits, Apples, Grapes, Figs, Bananas, Vegetables, Wheat, and Tobacco.

            Manufacturing & Processing: Building Materials, Food Products, Furniture, leather Goods,         Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oils, Shoes, Textiles.

            Banking: Secretive Free Banking laws made Lebanon a major financial center for the Middle East.

            Trade:   Transit shipments between the West and the Arabian Peninsula form a major section of the Lebanese economy.

            Tourism: Prior to 1975, Lebanon was a prime touristic destination for visitors from all over the world. Historic Sights and Recreational facilities were the Major attractions.

            Media:  Lebanon remains the main media center of the Middle East, producing the majority of Arabic printed material, advertising and TV productions. 

Flag:     Two horizontal red stripes flanking a broader white stripe, symbolizing the blood spilled in securing the peace. A green cedar tree in the middle touching both red stripes, symbolizing the eternity, strength and endurance. 

Monetary Unit:            Lebanese pound