Synopses & Reviews
This is an account of the turbulent saga of the only Arab state that has a nominal Christian majority. Packed with rival religious sects, feudal chieftains, war lords, squabbling political leaders, and in-house and foreign militias, Lebanon has suffered not only periods of civil war and internal infighting, but also invasions by Palestinians, Syrians and Israelis. It has survived as a republican entity, although shattered, exhausted and bankrupt. The 16-year long civil war in which Christian militias fought to eject Palestinian armed forces began in 1975. Western intervention was repelled by suicide-bombing attacks, and Lebanese Christians and Muslims sub-divided to fight each other. This book tells the story of a civil war was notable for massacres, treachery, atrocities, kidnapping, assassination, changing alliances of convenience, and invasions.
Review
... a tightly written and organized survey of the conflict, supplemented by an excellent chronology...
-Journal of Third World Studies, Hubert R. vanTuyll
Synopsis
The sixteen-year long civil war in Lebanon was caused by dissatisfaction over the distribution of political power. The system favoured Christians who fought to eject Palestinian armed forces, which sought to use the country as a spring board for attacks into adjacent Israel. Western intervention was repelled by suicide-bombing attacks. Lebanese Christians and Muslims sub-divided to fight each other. Dominated by competing war lords, this civil war was notable for massacres, treachery, atrocities, kidnapping, assassination, changing alliances of convenience, and invasions.
About the Author
Edgar O'Ballance served in the British and Indian armies during World War II, reaching the rank of Colonel.
Table of Contents
Preface * Acknowledgments * List of Abbreviations * Chronology * Maps * Prelude to Civil War * The Battle of the Hotels * Violent Polarization: 1976 * Assassination and Invasion: 1977-78 * Christian Fratricide: 1978-79 * Violence and Invasion: 1980-82 * Mutual Enemies: 1982-83 * Withdrawal and Chaos: 1984-85 * Syrians Return: 1985-87 * Two Lebanese Governments: 1987-89 * Closing Battles: 1990-91 * National Survival * Bibliography * Index
Preface * Acknowledgments * List of Abbreviations * Chronology * Maps * Prelude to Civil War * The Battle of the Hotels * Violent Polarization: 1976 * Assassination and Invasion: 1977-78 * Christian Fratricide: 1978-79 * Violence and Invasion: 1980-82 * Mutual Enemies: 1982-83 * Withdrawal and Chaos: 1984-85 * Syrians Return: 1985-87 * Two Lebanese Governments: 1987-89 * Closing Battles: 1990-91 * National Survival * Bibliography * Index