Lebanon's Tumultuous Path: Independence to Civil War

Lebanon: From Independence to Civil War (1943-1975)

Lebanon gained independence in 1943, becoming a parliamentary republic. At that time, the majority communities reached a significant agreement:

• Christians renounced foreign protection.
• Muslims recognized the existence of Greater Lebanon, renouncing the idea of joining a Syrian or Arab state.

This agreement affirmed Lebanon's membership in the Arab nation while acknowledging Western influences in its formation. Power positions were distributed based on the numerical importance of the communities:

• President of the Republic: Maronite Christian
• Prime Minister: Sunni Muslim
• Parliament President: Shia Muslim
• Vice-President: Christian

Lebanon has no official religion, and all religions are protected by the state. Christians generally favored a policy of friendship and exchange with the West, while Muslims leaned towards pan-Arab neutralism and opposition to Israel. In 1953, the Suez Crisis sparked a conflict: Christians aligned with France and England, while Muslims aligned with Nasser's pan-Arabism.

The conflict ended provisionally. A fundamental element for reconciliation, and later for renewed conflict, was Palestinian immigration from 1973, following clashes in Jordan. The subsequent clashes between Palestinians and the Lebanese army were a prelude to the civil war in 1975.

Supported by Christians and Muslims, various paramilitary organizations and militias emerged, joining existing ones:

• The Kataeb (Lebanese Phalange): A Christian group founded in 1936 by Pierre Gemayel.
• A Druze-Muslim party.
• National Socialists and Nasserist groups.

Lebanese Civil War (1975-1989)

The conflict began in early April 1975, primarily between Gemayel's Christian party and Palestinian factions. By August 1975, Christian and Muslim militias were clashing, ravaging Beirut.

In 1976, Elias Sarkis was elected president, and the situation stabilized. The defeated Christians turned to Syria, which intervened to pacify the situation. However, Syrian troops remained in Lebanon to further their own interests.

From 1976, Syrian troops focused their efforts against Palestinian and progressive forces, and from February 1978, against the divided Christian Phalanges. Some Christian factions supported dialogue with Syria, while others, like the Gemayel Phalange, were militarily engaged against Syria.

In June 1978, Christian forces established themselves in Mount Lebanon. Syria, fearing the creation of a separate Christian state in Lebanon, directed its military against the Christian army, taking control of the entire North of the country.