What Caused the Lebanon Civil War?
The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) was a complex and multifaceted conflict that lasted for 15 long years, leaving a permanent scar on the country. The war was sparked by a combination of internal tensions, regional rivalries, and external factors, which ultimately led to the collapse of the fragile Lebanese state.
Historical Background
Lebanon’s history dates back to the 18th century, when it was a province of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, Lebanon was officially recognized as a state with a Christian majority, despite having a significant Muslim minority. The country gained its independence in 1943, and the Natasha Declaration established an unwritten agreement between Muslim and Christian leaders to establish a power-sharing government based on the principle of six-to-five representation, which favored the Christians.
By the 1960s, the country’s unique sectarian makeup had become an issue. The Christians (Maronite, Orthodox, and Greek Catholic), who controlled the government and the economy, began to feel threatened by the rise of Palestinian nationalism and the growing influence of Leftist and Islamist groups among the Muslim population (Table 1).
Table 1: Lebanese Sectoral Representation (1949-1975)
| Sector | Number of Parliamentary Seats |
|---|---|
| Christians (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and others) | 64 |
| Sunni Muslims | 20 |
| Shia Muslims | 19 |
| Druze | 6 |
| Kurds and Other Minorities | 1 |
Conflicting Interests and Divisions
By the mid-1970s, Lebanon was facing several overlapping crises:
Pan-Arabism and Cold War rivalry: The civil war in neighboring Kuwait (1990) and the Camp David Accords (1978), which recognized Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and established diplomatic relations between Egypt and Israel, fueled Sunni-Shia tensions and undermined the stability of the Muslim-Christian power-sharing agreement.
Palestinian-Syrian rivalry: After the Black September wars (1970), Palestinian organizations, particularly Fatah and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), began to establish strong political and military presence in Lebanon.
- Christian factions rivalry: The National Libyan Front (FLN) and the Organisation for the Liberation of Lebanon (OLΛ) were two prominent secular Christian factions that clashed for power and influence.
The Israeli-Lebanon conflict (1962-2000) also played a significant role. Israel occupied Lebanese territory, including the southeastern region of the Golan Heights, and its military incursions into Lebanon created refugees and further destabilized the country.
Criminal and Militia Activities
As tensions escalated, several criminal and militia groups:
- The Lebanese Shi’a community became deeply involved in the conflict.
- The Amal Movement, led by Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah and supported by Iran, advocated for a stronger Muslim presence.
- The Shia militants, particularly the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO), which also received support from Iraq.
- The South Lebanese Army (SLA) and the Israeli-backed paramilitary groups, such as the Phalange and the Palmach, supported anti-Palestinian and Christian factions.
International Diplomacy and External Players
External factors played an essential role in exacerbating the conflict:
- The United States, fearful of the spread of Palestinian nationalism and the growing communist influence in the region.
- Israel, aimed to prevent the rise of a unified Palestinian movement by supporting anti-Palestinian factions.
- Syria, supported the Shia majority and sought to weaken Western influence in the region by backing anti-Western fronts.
- Iran and Iraq, backed various factions based on their ideological and ideological differences.
Why Did the Conflict Emerge?
The Lebanon civil war was the culmination of:
- Deep-seated social and economic inequalities and divisions.
- External factors, including colonialism, regional rivalries, and the Cold War.
- Endemic corruption and clientelist politics.
- The collapse of the French colonial system and the unresolved issues of the French-Arab dispute.
These factors ultimately led to the breakdown of the communal harmony and the disintegration of the Lebanese state, leaving a lasting legacy for the country.
Reconciliation and Reconstruction
On September 26, 1989, the warring factions signed the Taif Accord, which envisioned a more balanced government distribution and greater representation for marginalized groups. The Lebanese constitution was amended to address the concerns of the Muslim population. The agreement marked a slow but steady path towards democracy and national reconciliation (Table 2).
| Aspect | Taif Agreement (1989) Change |
|---|---|
| Government | Representative seats distributed 6–5, favoring non-Christian sects |
| Electoral System | First Past the Post replaced with Majority System |
| Constitution | Amendments addressing Muslim-Christian representational imbalances |
| National Unity | Enhanced minority representation and protection of Sunni and Shia rights |
Efforts towards reconstruction and the rebuilding of the Lebanese army and infrastructure began, alongside the reintegration and reeducation of combatant groups. Although full reconciliation was never achieved, the Taif Accord serves as a foundation for current efforts towards peace and progress in Lebanon.
Final Thoughts
The Lebanese civil war was a complex confluence of internal tensions and external factors. An understanding of the conflict necessitates acknowledging the role played by colonialism, corruption, and regional rivalries. The overlapping crises and rivalrous interests created a destabilizing environment, leading to the breakdown of communal harmony and the disintegration of the Lebanese state. Understanding the root causes of this conflict is crucial for moving toward a more stable and hopeful future for Lebanon and its people.
