General information
Part of Conflict: Lebanon: Government
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1975-06-30
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: The Lebanese National Movement (LNM) was founded as a secular, progressive and avowedly non-sectarian political movement. It was first established in 1969, then under the name Front for Progressive Parties and National Forces. Although member groups were mainly Muslim in composition it would be an oversimplification to say that the movement was purely Muslim in orientation. Membership groups were instead mainly socialist and/or nationalist Arab. The group’s proclaimed goals clearly challenged the status quo of Lebanon’s government and political system, wishing to abrogate its confessional democracy, turn foreign policy towards a clear pro-Arab stance and to staunchly support the Palestinian liberation movement.
These demands were proclaimed already in 1969, but then under a peaceful banner. After the initial clashes of the Lebanese civil war in April 1975 the LNM, however, proclaimed firmly that their forces would work to end the confessional system, amend the constitution, change the electoral law, reorganize the army (which was under Maronite control) and extend citizenship to minorities. The incompatibility it stated is thus over government power.
Date of first use of armed force: 1975-09-02
Comment on date of first use of armed force: In northern Lebanon large-scale fighting broke out in early September 1975. The conflict was particularly intense between the cities of Tripoli (Moslem majority) and Zgharta (Christian majority). Factional violence between Christian militias aligned with and loyal to President Frangieh (here representing the government side) clashed with leftist Moslem fighters of the LNM (Lebanese National Movement) in and around Tripoli on 2-8 September 1975. These clashes are viewed as being the first use of armed force between the two sides.
First Battle Related Death: 1975-09-01
Comment on First Battle Related Death: In northern Lebanon large-scale fighting broke out in early September 1975. The conflict was particularly intense between the cities of Tripoli (Moslem majority) and Zgharta (Christian majority). Factional violence between Christian militias aligned with and loyal to President Frangieh (here representing the government side) clashed with leftist Moslem fighters of the LNM (Lebanese National Movement) in and around Tripoli on 8 September 1975. These clashes caused an unknown number of battle-related deaths, and is viewed as the date of the first battle-related death.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1975-09-09
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: In northern Lebanon large-scale fighting broke out in early September 1975. The conflict was particularly intense between the cities of Tripoli (Moslem majority) and Zgharta (Christian majority). Factional violence between Christian militias aligned with and loyal to President Frangieh (here representing the government side) clashed with leftist Moslem fighters of the LNM (Lebanese National Movement) in and around Tripoli on 8 September 1975. On 9 September approximately 3000 fighters aligned to the LNM had surrounded Zgharta and heavy fighting ensued. By 9 September some 100 people had been killed in these battles, signifying the start of the armed conflict between the LNM and the Government of Lebanon under Frangieh’s command.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1976
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1001 |
| Best | 1001 |
| Low | 1 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1977
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1978
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1979
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1980
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1981
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1982
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): n/a
Side B (NSF): n/a
1983
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): Government of United States of America, Government of France
Side B (NSF): Government of Syria
1984
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Lebanon): Government of United States of America, Government of France
Side B (NSF): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle-related deaths in 1975 is unclear. In the Lebanese case it has not been possible to find any reliable figures, nor separate what violence was state-based and what was, for instance, non-state conflicts between the many different militias.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: As the situation in Beirut deteriorated in mid-September, with the army and security forces for the first time having been involved in clashes, the Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khaddam flew to Beirut on 19 September and held talks with “all parties”. These meetings included President Frangieh, the Phalange leader Gemayel and members of the LNM. The exact topics of talks are unclear, but yielded a ceasefire on 20 September.
This mediation also yielded the creation of the ‘National Dialogue Committee’ (NDC); a group consisting of Lebanon’s main militias (including the LNM) with the task of proposing economic, social and political reforms to resolve the conflict. The government was represented by Prime Minister Karami, whilst President Frangieh did not participate. The UCDP nevertheless views these meetings as negotiations, as Karami represented the government in these talks. The NDC held several meetings throughout September and early October, but became irrelevant as fighting continued in October. It was replaced by a nine-member ‘security committee’, with in essence the same members.
This second committee agreed upon a ceasefire in early November, which broke down on 21 November.
France was also active as a third party, with former French Prime Minister Maurice Couve de Murville being sent to Lebanon by French President Giscard d’Estaing to mediate. Couve de Murville, staying in Lebanon between 19 and 30 November, however, only managed to persuade President Frangieh and Prime Minister Karami to hold conciliatory speeches to the nation.
In late December new attempts were made at forging ceasefires. Syrian Major-General Shehabi met with the parties in late December, and Prime Minister Karami also travelled to Damascus for talks on the same topic. Iraqi Information Minister Tare Aziz also visited Beirut on 25-26 December and met with Lebanese leaders of all colours. No headway was, however, made in these talks.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1976 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle-related deaths in 1976 is unclear. In the Lebanese case it has not been possible to find any reliable figures, nor separate what violence was state-based and what was, for instance, non-state conflicts between the many different militias.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Syrian involvement in January 1976 was key in establishing the ceasefire of 24 January. Syrian representatives took part in the Higher Military Committee, as well as meeting with the warring factions thereafter. The Syrians also managed to gain wide-spread support among most of the warring factions regarding its ‘five-point plan’ which, for example, would change Moslem-Christian proportions in the assembly to 50% each and add requirements of a two-thirds majority on ‘vital’ questions. This formula was accepted by President Frangieh, who in mid-February made conciliatory public statements in this regard. The Syrian peace plan, however, fell apart as the leftist forces went on the offensive in March.
The Arab League was also involved in negotiations during the year. In it first actions as a mediator the grouping, led by Chairman Riad, managed to negotiate a ceasefire on 3 July, which was immediately broken. A second ceasefire was negotiated between all sides on 24 July, but was also broken immediately. In September the Arab League held several meetings amongst Lebanon’s contenders, with the most visible result being the all-encompassing ceasefire of 23 September which coincided with Elias Sarkis claiming the presidential seat. This ceasefire soon broke down though, as Syrian forces and right-wing militias attacked the leftist alliance across the country
October saw much diplomatic activity as a consequence of the military setbacks of the leftist alliance. Syrian and Lebanese delegates met with each other and representatives of other countries, but it is unclear if any real negotiations took place between the warring parties. Likewise, the meeting in Riyadh in mid-October (see Comment on Third parties) is not categorised as being negotiations since the LNM and the LAA were not present at those talks.
Negotiations between President Sarkis, the leftist alliance and the Christian right-wing were, however, held on 20 October. At that meeting all of the main warring parties in Lebanon agreed to adhere to the ceasefire declared and signed at the Riyadh meeting. That document (which does not qualify as a peace agreement since it did not deal with the incompatibility) had amongst its most important stipulations the stationing in Lebanon of up to 30 000 Arab peacekeepers, the disarmament of militias and a withdrawal to positions held before April 1975. By November 1976 at least 25 000 peacekeepers were present in Lebanon and the ceasefire generally adhered to. In addition to Syria contributing parties were Sudan, Saudi Arabia, South Yemen, Libya and the United Arab Emirates.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 1976-10-22
Comment on Termination: Hostilities in 1976 ended with the signature of a ceasefire in Riyadh on 18 October; a ceasefire that came into effect on 22 October the same year. The Riyadh agreement had amongst its most important stipulations the stationing in Lebanon of up to 30 000 Arab peacekeepers, the disarmament of militias and a withdrawal to positions held before April 1975.
1977 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1978 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1979 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1980 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1981 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
1982 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle-related deaths in 1982 is unclear. In the Lebanese case it has not been possible to find any reliable figures, nor separate what violence was state-based and what was, for instance, non-state conflicts between the many different militias.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: The mainstay of diplomatic activity during 1982 dealt not with the Lebanese conflict over government power, but with the increasing hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian forces, the subsequent invasion of Lebanon, and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1983 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle-related deaths in 1983 is unclear. In the Lebanese case it has not been possible to find any reliable figures, nor separate what violence was state-based and what was, for instance, non-state conflicts between the many different militias.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Talks between the government of Lebanon and the LNM’s (Lebanese National Movement) leader Jumblatt began soon after the escalation of hostilities between these two parties in May, brought on by the government’s attempt to expand its influence into the Chouf monuntains (the Druze stronghold). These talks, however, did not yield any results and the hostilities instead escalated further.
New talks on a ceasefire were initiated in August, specifically focusing on the Beirut area. Through Saudi Arabian mediation the LNM and the government reached a ceasefire deal on 16 August, concluding that the airport could be reopened as long as it was not used for hostilities. Fighting in the Chouf mountains and in and around Souq al-Gharb, Aley and Khalde, however, continued.
A more lasting ceasefire was reached on 25 September, and included the government, the LNM, Amal and the Phalangist forces that had been fighting on the side of the government. This ceasefire agreement also included the French and US troops that had intervened on the side of the government, and Syria that had supported the LNM. Agreement was reached through the intervention of Saudi envoy Prince Bandar bin Sultan and US envoy Robert McFarlane. US envoy Robert McFarlane also engaged LNM leader Jumblatt and government representatives in talks in Paris to initiate the holding of a dialogue for national reconciliation.
The greatest (yet in the end failed) strides towards a resolution of the conflict however came with President Gemayel’s call on 31 August to create a committee for a national reconciliation dialogue. The LNM agreed to hold such a dialogue after indirect talks hosted by US envoy McFarlane in Paris with government representatives.
These national reconciliation talks were held, during 1983, in Geneva (Switzerland) starting from late September. They were lead by President Gemayel and included both the LNM and Amal (and several other important militia and political leaders) with the USA and Syria participating as observers.
Some initial progress was made in the first rounds of talks on the implementation of the ceasefire and some political measures for security, but the meetings were marred by constant violations of the ceasefire and the devastating attacks in October on French and American troops in Beirut. No real progress was made on the vital issue of political reform, although the parties agreed on 31 October that Lebanon would continue to have an ‘Arab identity’.
In the meeting held on 4 November the constitutional committee set up by the reconciliation talks agreed on a series of recommendations regarding political reform though, delineating reforms to increase the power of the Prime Minister vis-à-vis the Presidency. These recommendations were handed to President Gemayel, who initiated a series of travels to gain international support for the plans. The national reconciliation talks thus also adjourned and did not recommence in 1983 as hostilities escalated following the devastating suicide bombings against French and American targets in Beirut.
The last talk of 1983 was held on 16 December in Damascus under the auspices of the Syrian Foreign Minister. The Lebanese government, as well as the LNM and Amal leaders, participated and agreed to reopen Beirut’s airport to facilitate the restarting of the national dialogue.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle-related deaths in 1984 is unclear. In the Lebanese case it has not been possible to find any reliable figures, nor separate what violence was state-based and what was, for instance, non-state conflicts between the many different militias.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Although moves towards national reconciliation had stalled in November 1983 due to heavy fighting (involving most parties and their international sponsors) talks were still held in early January 1984, but now focused on bringing the actual fighting to a halt. Talks between the warring parties (it is unclear who mediated these talks) led to agreement on a ceasefire and a separation of forces on 5 January. The implementation of this plan and the ceasefire were, however, soon destroyed by continuing fighting in Beirut.
Further talks were held in Damascus on 10 January, where the Lebanese Foreign Minister met with Syrian representatives and a Saudi mediator to discuss ways to end the fighting. In these meetings the Syrians pressed especially for the abrogation of Lebanon’s (not ratified) 1983 troop withdrawal agreement with Israel as the key to stopping fighting.
Throughout late February and early March the warring parties engaged in indirect talks as Saudi envoys shuttled between the different factions. These attempts focused on gathering unity in regard to the Israeli withdrawal agreement and future reconciliation talks. As a consequence of these talks the Lebanese government decided to abrogate the Israeli agreement and national reconciliation talks could again begin.
The second round of national reconciliation talks was held in Lausanne (Switzerland) on 12-18 March and included President Gemayel, Phalangist Party leader Pierre Gemayel, NUF leader Jumblatt, Amal chief Nabih Berri and other prominent persons. Discussions during these talks centred on attaining a sustainable ceasefire (agreed upon on 13 March), political reforms and the formation of a government of national unity.
On the last day of the conference President Gemayel proposed a 27 point plan for peace, which contained some reforms on decentralisation, equal representation in parliament and the establishment of a Supreme Court. His plan was rejected by NUF leaders Berrih and Jumblatt. Although mainly a failure the conference agreed to set up a “commission on constitutional reform and national reconciliation” and a “higher security committee”.
The “higher security committee” met several times, staring on 29 March with a meeting attended by the President and the leaders of the NUF and Lebanese Front. Some minor progress was made on the ceasefire and the implementation of buffer zones between the forces stationed in Beirut.
Indirect negotiations were also held in April, with Syrian President Assad as a mediator. On 19 April President Assad first met with Lebanese President Gemayel to discuss the idea of a national unity government and political reform, after which he presented these ideas to NUF leaders Jumblatt and Berrih. Following that meeting Jumblatt agreed to join a government of national unity. Such a government was formed on 30 April, with Jumblatt and Berrih receiving cabinet portfolios. Despite the formation of this national unity cabinet steps towards reconciliation were few throughout the summer and factional clashes continued. Progress was mainly stymied by the Maronite wish to disarm all militias before dealing with political reform whilst the Muslim camp wished to do things in the reverse order.
Negotiations within the cabinet continued in June and on the 23rd of that month the warring parties agreed on a new security plan which mainly delineated changes to the structure of the Lebanese army so as to make it less sectarian and the reopening of Beirut’s ports and airport. The plan begun to be implemented early in July after the parties had agreed on further matters at a military council meeting. As a consequence some of the heavier weapons of the NUF and the Lebanese Forces were withdrawn from the frontlines of Beirut.
Further talks within the cabinet and with militia leaders throughout July and August led to the extension of the security plan into the Chouf Mountains and eastwards towards Aley. The NUF’s Jumblatt at first resisted these moves, but was later persuaded after visiting Syria for talks with President Assad.
On 17-19 September the national unity cabinet met for a lengthy meeting to try to restart talks on political reform and the stalled security plan. The main outcome of this meeting was the agreement to create a constitutional committee tasked with drafting proposals on political reform so as to distribute power more evenly between the different sectarian groups. Further deals were also made regarding the expansion of the security plan, which however stalled in later November due to continuing clashes between Druze militias (PSP) and the Lebanese army (amongst other clashes).
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Other
Date of termination: 1985-07-02
Comment on Termination: The LNM seized to be a warring party against the Government of Lebanon on 2 July 1985, when the movement, together with Amal, created the National Union Front (NUF). This group subsequently engaged in armed conflict with the Government of Lebanon in mid-1985.
