Chronology of Significant Events: April 1975-September 1992

 

CHRONOLOGY

1975

April

Civil war breaks out. Two coalitions, the Lebanese Front (Christian) and the National Movement (Islamic-progressive), clash.

The Lebanese Front comprises the Christian parties opposed to the presence of Palestinian fighters in Lebanon. These parties include the Phalange (or Kataëb), a primarily Maronite party founded by Pierre Gemayel during the 1930s, and that party's militia (also called the Phalange); the National Liberal Party (NLP) of Camille Chamoun and its militia (the Tigers); and the party of Suleiman Franjieh and its militia (Lecerf 1988, 52-53; Alem and Bourrat 1992, 81).

The National Movement, headed by the Kamal Jumblatt, a Druze, comprises the "Islamic-progressive" forces supporting Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In addition to the PLO and the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA), the Islamic-progressive forces include Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and the Druze militia, the Independent Nasserite movement and their militia (the Murabitouns), the Lebanese Communist Party (LPC) and its multidenominational Popular Guard, the Syrian National Socialist Party (SNSP) and the pro-Syrian Ba'ath (Lecerf 1988, 52-53).

1976

8 May

The Lebanese parliament elects Elias Sarkis as president of the republic. He appoints Salim al-Hoss as head of government (Quid 1991 1990, 1026; Picaudou 1989, 238).

1 June

To counteract the influence of "Islamic-progressive" forces in Lebanon, Syrian forces shift their support to President Franjieh's Phalange militia, besieged by Muslim militia in the mountains. In 1978, the Syrians turn against the Christians who are in league with Israel (Ibid.).

17-18 October

An Arab summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ends in an agreement providing for the establishment of an Arab deterrent force in Lebanon (Picaudou 1989, 239).

1977

16 March

Kamal Jumblatt, leader of the Druze Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), is assassinated (Quid 1991 1990, 1026).

July

Fighting breaks out again between Christian militia and "Islamic-progressive" forces in South Lebanon (Picaudou 1989, 239).

1978

14 March

Israeli armed forces invade South Lebanon and drive Palestinian commandos back behind the "Red Line," the boundary imposed by the Israelis on Syrian troops in Lebanon (Quid 1991 1990, 2026; Lecerf 1988, 57).

19 March

Lebanon receives 4,000 soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), created under UN Security Council Resolution 425 (Picaudou 1989, 239).

13 June

Tony Franjieh (son of Suleiman Franjieh), his wife and daughter and some thirty of his supporters are assassinated, presumably by Phalange members (Quid 1991 1990, 1026).

1979

18 April

Major Saad Haddad, a Lebanese army officer, creates the state of "Free Lebanese" in South Lebanon. The newly created state is an area of 1,800 km2 extending along the Israeli border that will serve as a buffer area for Israel (Picaudou 1989, 239; Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

1980

June

Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss resigns (Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

October

Shafik al-Wazzan is appointed prime minister (Ibid.).

1982

6 June

Israel launches a large-scale operation in Lebanon known as "Peace in Galilee." Its aim is to end PLO activities in Lebanon. Israeli troops surround Beirut and the 6,000 Palestinian fighters located in the city. At the end of August, the United States reaches an agreement with Israel to evacuate the Palestinians to other Arab countries, under the supervision of a multinational force (Ibid.).

August

Parliament elects Bashir Gemayel (head of the Lebanese Forces, formerly known as the Phalange militia, and son of Christian Phalange founder Pierre Gemayel) as president. He succeeds Elias Sarkis, whose mandate expires in September (Ibid.).

14 September

Bashir Gemayel is assassinated. In reprisal, Christian militia carry out massacres in the Palestinian camps of Sabra and Shatila. Some 4,000 civilians reportedly die during these massacres (Picaudou 1989, 181).

24 September

Parliament elects Amin Gemayel as president to succeed his brother Bashir. Prime Minister Shafik al-Wazzan is asked to form a new cabinet (Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

23 November

A multinational security force consisting of 3,800 American, French, Italian and British troops enters Beirut (Quid 1991 1990, 1027; Alem and Bourrat 1992, 104).

1983

17 May

Lebanon and Israel sign a twelve-point agreement, put forward by American secretary of state George Shultz, that officially ends hostilities and provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops over a three-month period. This agreement, not recognized by Syria, is never ratified (Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

August-September

Following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Shouf mountains, the new Lebanese government seeks to establish its authority in the region, one where Maronite and Druze communities coexist. Violent clashes occur between the Druze and the Lebanese Forces, supported by the Lebanese army. Massacres are carried out on both sides. Some 145,000 Christians who have hitherto lived relatively peacefully with the Druze leave the region (Kheir 1989, 21; Quid 1991 1990, 1027; Lecerf 1988, 61).

23 October

Two attacks on the headquarters of the multinational forces result in the deaths of 241 American and 58 French soldiers. An organization calling itself Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. Muslim militia resent the multinational force's support for Amin Gemayel's Christian government (Lecerf 1988, 61; Picaudou 1989, 241).

31-October

A "National Dialogue" conference is held in Geneva. Two groups within the National Salvation Front, Nabih Berri's Amal militia and an alliance formed between Walid Jumblatt's PSP and the party of pro-Syrian Maronite Suleiman Franjieh, take part in the discussions. The conference fails as Amin Gemayel refuses to denounce the Lebanese-Israeli agreement of May 1983. Participants agree, however, that the constitution must be amended to provide balanced representation of Muslims in parliament (Kheir 1989, 22; Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

20 December

Surrounded by Syrian forces, Palestinian fighters faithful to Yasser Arafat leave the port city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon under UN protection. They relocate to several Arab countries (Quid 1991 1990, 1027; Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

1984

6 February

The Amal militia and the PSP organize a Shiite uprising in West Beirut and drive the Lebanese army and Christian militia out of that sector of the city (Europa 1991 1991, 1645; Kheir 1989, 22).

March

The multinational force leaves Lebanon (Picaudou 1989, 241).

5 March

Having lost control of all areas except East Beirut (the Christian sector of the Lebanese capital) Amin Gemayel revokes the May 1983 Lebanese-Israeli agreement in exchange for guarantees of safety from the Syrians (Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

12-20 March

A second reconciliation conference is held in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss the gradual "secularization" of Lebanon and its relations with Syria (Picaudou 1989, 197; Kheir 1989, 23-24).

5 April

Rashid Karami is appointed prime minister (Europa 1991 1991, 1645).

30 April

A new government is formed, comprising ten ministers (five Christian and five Muslim) (Ibid.).

1985

February

Israeli troops withdraw from South Lebanon. The Israeli army leaves the South Lebanon Army to operate in the buffer zone (Ibid.).

11 March

Amin Gemayel approves a Syrian security plan which ultimately confers more constitutional powers on Lebanon's Muslim majority. This decision causes an uprising by the Lebanese Forces, the military wing of Samir Geagea's Christian Phalange Party (Europa 1991 1991, 1646; Picaudou 1989, 241).

May

The "war of the camps" begins. Seeking to end Palestinian resistance, Syria sends its Amal Shiite allies to attack the Palestinian camps. The siege of the camps ends late in 1987 (Picaudou 1989, 241; Alem and Bourrat 1992, 110; Europa 1991 1991, 1646).

9 May

Elie Hobeika, new head of the Lebanese Forces, announces that he favours negotiations with Druze and Shiite leaders and acknowledges that Syria can play a positive role in resolving the Lebanese crisis (Europa 1991 1991, 1646).

28 December

In Damascus, the leaders of the three main militias involved in the civil war (Amal, the PSP and the Lebanese Forces) sign an agreement providing for an immediate ceasefire, the end of the civil war, the disbanding of the militias and the formation of a multidenominational Lebanese army. President Amin Gemayel believes that the agreement undermines the principle, enshrined in the 1943 agreement, of a Maronite presidency and that the role of the presidency will be diminished. He rejects the terms of the agreement on 13 January 1986. Elie Hobeika is at once repudiated and forced to seek exile in Syria (Ibid.; Lecerf 1988, 70; Picaudou 1989, 241).

1986

Palestinian commandos resume their attacks on Israel. Israel retaliates with air raids on PLO bases in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. The year is marked by struggles between Amal and the Palestinians for control of the camps (Europa 1991 1991, 1646).

May

Fierce fighting erupts between Amal and Islamic-progressive forces in the refugee camps south of Beirut (Ibid.).

October

Amal lays siege to several Palestinian camps around Beirut, Tyre and Sidon, cutting off food and medical supplies (Ibid.).

1987

January

Numerous confrontations take place between Amal and Palestinians in West Beirut (Picaudou 1989, 242).

20 February

Syrian forces enter West Beirut to intervene in the fighting between the two groups (Ibid.; Europa 1991 1991, 1646).

May

Prime Minister Rashid Karami resigns as a result of his government's failure to solve Lebanon's economic problems: the price index rose by over 226 per cent between January 1986 and January 1987 (Europa 1991 1991, 1646; Picaudou 1989, 242).

The National Assembly officially condemns the Cairo agreements signed in 1969 and the May 1983 Lebanese-Israeli agreement, revoked by President Gemayel in 1984 (Europa 1991 1991, 1646).

June

Prime Minister Rashid Karami is assassinated. Salim al-Hoss takes over in the interim (Ibid.).

September

Because of the Palestinian uprising in the Occupied Territories (Intifada), the Amal militia, as part of a Muslim Liberation and Unification Front including Walid Jumblatt's PSP, enters into an agreement with the PLO to end the "war of the camps." Fighting continues nevertheless until the end of the year (Ibid.).

1988

With the war of the camps over, the focus of all political activity shifts to the issue of choosing a successor to President Gemayel, whose term ends on 22 September 1988 (ibid.).

January

Nabih Berri lifts the siege of the Palestinian refugee camps (Ibid.).

22 September

Parliament is unable to bring together enough members to elect a new president, and Amin Gemayel leaves the presidency and appoints a military government consisting of six officers (three Muslims and three Christians) to be headed by General Michel Aoun. The Muslim officers refuse to take part in cabinet meetings. The succession of Amin Gemayel results in a constitutional crisis in which legitimacy is claimed by two governments, a Christian one in East Beirut and a Muslim one in West Beirut. There are fears that Lebanon will break up into two separate states (Ibid., 1647).

October

The National Assembly fails to elect a successor to Hussein al-Husseini, former speaker of the House (Ibid.).

1989

February

Violent clashes erupt between the Lebanese Forces and the Lebanese army (Ibid.).

March

Fierce fighting occurs between Muslims and Christians on both sides of the "Green Line," following a promise by General Aoun to take every possible measure to drive the Syrians out of Lebanon (Ibid.).

May

Arab leaders hold a summit in Casablanca. The meeting ends with the establishment of an Arab committee: King Hassan of Morocco, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and President Chadli of Algeria. This committee seeks to find a solution to the Lebanese crisis (Ibid.).

28 July

Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid, a prominent Hezbollah leader, is abducted by the Israeli Defence Forces. According to an Israeli military spokesperson, Obeid is considered the military leader of Hezbollah forces in all of South Lebanon (Libération 31 July 1989; Maghreb-Machrek Oct.-Dec. 1989, 72).

23 September

A ceasefire marks the end of a six-month battle between General Aoun's brigades and the Syrian Army. Members of the National Assembly meet in Taif, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the Charter of National Reconciliation proposed by members of the tripartite committee (Ibid.).

22 October

Sixty-two Lebanese members of parliament meet in Taif (eleven are absent) and approve the national reconciliation agreement. It provides for restriction of presidential powers, equal representation for Christians and Muslims and an increase in the number of members of parliament (from 99 to 108). The agreement also provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanese territory (Cimade information/Nouvelles du Liban April-May 1990, 23).

4 November

Criticizing Lebanese MPs for approving the Taif agreement, General Aoun dissolves the Parliament of Lebanon (Le Devoir 30 Dec. 1989).

5 November

After two days of voting and despite General Aoun's objections, Lebanese MPs elect René Moawad president of Lebanon (Le Devoir 6 Nov. 1989).

13 November

Salim al-Hoss is appointed prime minister and charged with forming a government of national unity (Libération 14 Nov. 1989).

22 November

René Moawad is assassinated in a bomb attack seventeen days after being elected president (La Presse 23 Nov. 1989).

24 November

Lebanese MPs elect Elias Hrawi as president (Le Monde 23-29 Nov. 1989).

28 November

General Aoun is dismissed as commander-in-chief of the Lebanese armed forces (Le Devoir 29 Nov. 1989).

1990

5 January

Elias Hrawi sets up his offices in Syrian-occupied West Beirut (Le Monde 8 Jan. 1990).

31 January

Heavy artillery fighting breaks out between General Aoun's forces and Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces (La Presse 1 Feb. 1990).

6 June

Maronite MP George Saadeh (the head of the Christian Phalange Party and a Greek Orthodox MP join the cabinet of Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss (La Presse 6 June 1990).

21 August

The Lebanese parliament adopts the constitutional amendments outlined in the Taif agreement (La Presse 22 Aug. 1990).

21 September

President Hrawi officially ratifies the constitutional reforms (Nouvelles du Liban Jan.-Feb. 1991, 13).

11 October

Thousands of Syrian soldiers, supported by tanks and artillery, prepare for a final assault against General Aoun's stronghold (Le Devoir 12 Oct. 1990).

13 October

Syrian military forces and the groups they support lay siege to the presidential palace in Ba'abda. General Aoun seeks refuge in the French embassy and, the following day, French authorities grant him political asylum. According to Amnesty International, Syrian troops and their allies carry out dozens of extrajudicial executions after driving General Aoun from his Ba'abda stronghold. The same source reports that some 200 of General Aoun's soldiers are arrested after the events in East Beirut and imprisoned in Syria and the Bekaa Valley (The Associated Press 13 Oct 1990; Amnesty International Report 1991 1991, 143).

21 October

Dany Chamoun, son of former Lebanese president Camille Chamoun and a fierce partisan of General Aoun, is assassinated with his wife and two sons in their apartment in Ba'abda, a suburb of Beirut (Le Devoir 25 Oct. 1990).

7 November

The government decides that the security plan reunifying greater Beirut will come into effect on 19 November. The plan provides for the withdrawal of militias from Beirut (Nouvelles du Liban Jan.-Feb. 1991, 13).

3 December

The Lebanese army is deployed in the Ashrafiyeh area in the suburbs of Beirut, which has been a fief of Christian militias since 1975. "Greater Beirut" is reunified after fifteen years of civil war (Libération 4 Dec. 1990).

19 December

Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss resigns (Nouvelles du Liban Jan.-Feb. 1991).

20 December

Members of parliament appoint Omar Karami as prime minister (Ibid.).

24 December

Karami forms a thirty-member government of national reconciliation. The militia leaders become ministers of state without portfolio (Ibid.; Le Devoir 10 Jan. 1991).

26 December

Samir Geagea (Lebanese Forces), George Saadeh (Phalange Party) and Greek Orthodox MP Michel Sassine refuse to join the government (Nouvelles du Liban Jan.-Feb. 1991, 13).

31 December

The government holds its first meeting in the absence of the leaders of the two main Christian political groups, the Christian Phalange Party (Kataëb) and the Lebanese Forces Party (Libération 1 Jan. 1991).

1991

The year is marked by the restoration of the Lebanese government's authority over most of Lebanese territory.

7 February

The Lebanese army enters the Iqlim al-Tuffah region in South Lebanon. Palestinian fighters retreat from the area (Reuter 7 Feb. 1991).

28 March

The Lebanese government draws up a timetable for the dissolution of all "Lebanese and non-Lebanese" militias, in accordance with the Taif agreement. The militias have until 30 April to lay down their arms. President Hrawi states that he is ready to call on Syrian troops to ensure compliance with this deadline (Libération 30-31 March 1991).

April-June

The Israeli army and the South Lebanon Army (SLA) step up their raids and bombardment of the various Palestinian movements and the Lebanese Amal and Islamic Resistance movements (Maghreb-Machrek July-Sept. 1991).

25 April

Responding to the Lebanese government's appeal, the pro-Syrian Druze militia of Walid Jumblatt begins to disband and lays down its arms (Reuter 25 April 1991).

27 April

The Amal movement announces the disbanding of its militia, in accordance with government instructions (Libération 28 April 1991).

29 April

The Lebanese Forces announce their disbandment (AP 30 April 1991).

22 May

In Damascus, the Presidents of Lebanon and Syria, Elias Hrawi and Hafez al-Assad, sign the Treaty of Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination, despite vehement protests by Israel. This treaty comes under the Taif agreement (Libération 22 May 1991).

30 May

The Lebanese cabinet approves plans for the Lebanese army and the apparatus of government to absorb 20,000 former militia members of all allegiances (Xinhua 30 May 1991).

4 June

The Israeli air force carries out three major raids on Palestinian bases in South Lebanon. According to some observers, Israel considers the Treaty of Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination between Syria and Lebanon to be a threat to its existence (Reuter 4 June 1991).

6 June

In an extraordinary session, the Cabinet fills forty vacancies in parliament to establish parity between Muslims and Christioans in the distribution of the 108 seats in accordance with the Taif agreement.This decision ends the "sacrosanct" pronciple of the ratio of six Christian members to five Musmil members, which has applied for nearly half a century ( Le Monde 8 June 1991).

1 July

Lebanese troops are deployed in South Lebanon without encountering significant resistance from Palestinian fighters. After entering Sidon without opposition, they are stopped by roadblocks east of the city, set up by militias supporting Yasser Arafat. The army eventually restores government authority over nearly half of South Lebanon. The Palestinian fighters are now confined in the camps of Mieh Mieh and Ein el-Hilweh, near Sidon, where over 200,000 Palestinians live (Libération 2 July 1991; Ibid. 3 July 1991; Le Monde 3 July 1991).

11 July

The PLO announces it is prepared to hand over its heavy weaponry to the Lebanese army. At the same time, the latter strengthens its forces surrounding the camps of Buss, Bourj el-Shamali and Rashidiyeh (all three located near Tyre) and of Mieh Mieh and Ein el-Hilwehtwo (The Economist 19 July 1991; Ibid. 12 July 1991; Reuter 11 July 1991; Libération 14 July 1991).

26 August

Lebanese MPs pass legislation declaring a general amnesty for all crimes committed in Lebanon during the sixteen years of civil war. It also applies to General Aoun, who sought refuge in the French Embassy in October 1990. The bill is passed by the seventy members present and signed by the speaker of parliament, Hussein al-Husseini (Le Devoir 27 August 1991).

29 August

President Hrai grants a "pardon and amnesty" to General Aoun, who goes into exile in France with three of his supporters, freed from prosecution for rebellion and usurpation of power (Maghreb-Machrek Oct.-Dec. 1991; Le Devoir 30 Aug. 1991).

16 September

Lebanon and Syria sign the Security and Defence Agreement, which complements and clarifies the Treaty of Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination (Amnesty International 4 Feb. 1992, 2).

October

The Iranian government informs Lebanon that it is withdrawing its 2,000 revolutionary guards (Middle East International 25 Oct. 1991).

7 October

In Tehran, Syria and Iran agree to release the hostages held in South Lebanon before the start of the Middle East peace conference (The Beyrut Review Spring 1992, 208).

1 November

Several thousand people, many of them fundamentalists, demonstrate in Sidon and Tripoli against the Madrid Conference (La Presse 2 Nov. 1991).

8 November

The American University of Beirut is the target of a bombing which leaves one person dead and causes extensive property damage (Le Devoir 9 Nov. 1991).

1992

15 February

The Israeli air force raids Palestinian camps in the suburbs of Sidon and Tyre (The Lebanon Report March 1992, 7).

16 February

Sheikh Abbas Musawi, head of the Lebanese Hezbollah, his wife, his son and four of his bodyguards are killed in an Israeli air attack launched in retaliation for the assassination of three Israeli soldiers in northern Israel (The New York Times 17 Feb. 1992, A1; La Presse 17 Feb 1992).

18 February

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is unanimously elected as the new secretary general of Hezbollah (The Lebanon Report March 1992, 7).

Israeli helicopters fire machine guns at villages north of the security zone (Ibid.).

20 February

Some 350 Israeli soldiers, supported by tanks, bulldozers and combat helicopters, cross the boundary line and lay siege to villages in the zone under the surveillance of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This raid follows artillery exchanges between Shiite fighters and the Israeli army during the preceding days (Le Devoir 21 Feb. 1992).

17 March

Prime Minister Karami announces that charges made against senior government officials by the media will be investigated. He adds that if the charges prove false, the authors will be prosecuted (The Lebanon Report April 1992).

25 March

Karami announces that legislative elections will be held in Lebanon in the summer of 1992. The last legislative elections were held in 1922 (Le Devoir 26 March 1992).

25 April

Omar Karami opposes granting permission to Lebanese living abroad to vote in the upcoming legislative elections, on the grounds that "their judgment would be [...] distorted because it would not be dictated by the situation now prevailing" (AFP 25 April 1992).

4 May

The Lebanese General Federation of Labour (LGFL) declares a five-day general strike to protest the high cost of living and the collapse of the Lebanese pound in relation to the US dollar. It also calls for Prime Minister Karami and his government to resign because they are unable to deal with economic problems and corruption. Riots follow, causing extensive property damage. The strike is supported by all groups within Lebanese society, including both Muslims and Christians (Libération 7 May 1992).

6 May

Following the call for a general strike, riots lead to the resignation of the Karami government. The LGFL ends the strike (La Presse 7 May 1992; AFP 7 May 1992).

13 May

On the recommendation of President Hrawi, the Lebanese parliament elects Rashid Solh to serve as prime minister (The Economist 22 May 1992).

3 June

Ali Akbar Velayati, Iran's minister of foreign affairs, makes an official visit to Lebanon. He publicly reiterates his country's support for Hezbollah's anti-Israeli operations but, in private, reportedly undertakes to calm the situation in South Lebanon and do everything possible to secure the release of two German hostages who have been held in Lebanon for three years (Le Devoir 4 June 1992).

8 June

George Saadeh, a moderate, is re-elected as head of the Lebanese Phalange for another three-year mandate, thereby excluding his rival, Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces (AFP 8 June 1992).

17 June

The last two Western hostages held by the Hezbollah are released (Middle East International 26 June 1992).

30 June

The head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, announces that his movement will take part in the legislative elections to be held in Lebanon during the summer of 1992 (AFP 30 June 1992).

8 July

The Lebanese government approves a plan to resettle those displaced from their villages during the civil war. The government sets up the National Council for Refugees. Some 500,000 Lebanese were driven out of their homes during the civil war (UPI 8 July 1992).

13 July

Gen. Antoine Lahaad, head of the SLA, opposes the upcoming legislative elections because of the occupation of Lebanese territory by two foreign armies (AFP 13 July 1992).

16 July

Despite Christian opposition to the bill, the Lebanese parliament passes an electoral reform act. The new legislation increases the numger of seats in parliament from 106 to 128 and establishes 12 electoral districts. the new clauses differ fron those of the 1989 Taif agreement, which raised the number of seats to 108 while providing for the creation of five Mohafazat (areas under the administration of a governor). Christian leaders protest the enactment of thes legislation (AFP 16 July 1992).

23 July

Lebanese Christians hold a one-day general strike to demonstrate their opposition to the legislative elections (UPI 23 July 1992).

Suleiman Franjieh dies (Libération 24 July 1992).

24 July

Lebanese prime minister Rashid al-Solh announces that legislative elections will begin on 23 August and will be held in three phases: North Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley (23 August), Beirut and the Mount Lebanon (30 August) and South Lebanon (6 September) (AFP 24 July 1992).

Meanwhile, in preparation for the elections, the Lebanese army attempts to re-take public buildings still occupied by Christian and Muslim militia. It lays siege to the headquarters of Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces (LF) in the Qarantina quarter of Beirut, the Shiite and Sunni fundamentalist bases in northern and southern Lebanon, and the public buildings occupied by Druze forces in the Shouf mountains (UPI 27 July 1992; Libération 31 July 1992).

29 July

The Lebanese General Federation of Labour organizes a three-day general strike to protest the government's economic management (Reuter 29 July 1992).

2 August

Amin Gemayel returns to Lebanon after four years in exile and announces that he approves of the Taif agreement (Le Devoir 3 Aug. 1992).

16 August

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir rejects the candidates running in the first series of legislative elections, declaring that "the people of Lebanon, free and aware of their national responsibilities, will not vote for candidates who agree to support compromises, the suppression of freedoms and disregard for human rights" (AFP 16 Aug. 1992).

21 August

A general strike is organized by Christian groups to protest the legislative elections (AFP 21 Aug. 1992).

23 August

In the first series of legislative elections, two hundred and eighty-six candidates compete for fifty-one parliamentary seats in North Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley (AFP 8 Aug. 1992). According to Lebanese television, the turnout ranges between twelve and thirty per cent in Christian areas and between fifty and seventy per cent in Muslim areas. Pro-government candidates are defeated (AFP 23 Aug. 1992; Christian Science Monitor 25 Aug. 1992). Candidates affiliated with Assembly President Hussein Husseini, a Shiite, are defeated by Hezbollah candidates, who subsequently win four seats in these regions.

26 August

Two Christian ministers, Fares Boueiz, minister for foreign affairs, and George Saadeh, minister of communications, resign from the government to protest against the legislative elections (AFP 26 Aug. 1992).

30 August

In the second series of legislative elections, two hundred and eleven candidates run for the fifty-four seats in Beirut and six seats in Mount Lebanon (AFP 15 Aug. 1992).

Christians continue to boycott the elections; average turnout remains ten per cent. The election is cancelled and rescheduled until 11 October in the Christian riding of Kesrouan because there are no candidates for the five Maronite seats. (Le Devoir 1 Sept. 1992; Le Monde 12 Sept. 1992).

In Mount Lebanon, all of the pro-Syrian candidates, including Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, are re-elected in their ridings. The Hezbollah wins two additional seats in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanese prime minister Rashid al-Solh is narrowly re-elected (Libération 1 Sept. 1992).

6 September

In the third series of legislative elections, one hundred and thirty-one candidates run for the twenty-three seats in South Lebanon (Le Monde 7 Sept. 1992).

Most of the seats are won by candidates on the "liberation list" of Nabih Berri's Amal movement. They include two members of Hezbollah (UPI 7 Sept. 1992).

The 100,000 inhabitants of the "security zone" controlled by Israel cannot vote because SLA leader Gen. Antoine Lahaad orders the crossing points closed (Ibid.).

Election summary

The election boycott by a large majority of Christians enables pro-Syrian candidates to win half the 128 seats in parliament. The boycott also enables Shiite and Sunni fundamentalists to participate in Lebanese politics for the first time by winning fourteen seats (eight for the Hezbollah) (Le Devoir 8 Sept. 1992; The Christian Science Monitor 11 Sept. 1992).

REFERENCES

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Agence France Presse (AFP). 23 August 1992. "Low Turnout, Chaos and Irregularities Mark Lebanon Elections."

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Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 August 1992. "Plus de 200 candidats pour la deuxième série des élections législatives au Liban."

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Agence France Presse (AFP). 30 June 1992. "Hezbollah to Run in Lebanon Legislative Elections."

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