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History
Significant events over the past 80 years have given a rise to the LAF
stature today:
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| 1916 "Legion of the Orient" |
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The French government established the eastern unit or the "Legion of the Orient", which was joined by capable Lebanese men. |
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| 1926 First sharp shooters unit |
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The first sharp shooters unit was created out of the Legion of the Orient, a precursor to the creation of the Lebanese Army. |
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| 1943 Prior to the declaration of independence |
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Prior to the declaration of Lebanon's independence on November 22nd 1943, the various military units were combined into the fifth Brigade under the command of Colonel Fouad Chehab.
On Independence day, the Lebanese Third Sharp Shooters Regiment was placed at the disposal of the Lebanese government inorder to maintain security. But the greater part of the LAF remained within the French Army in Lebanon until the total evacuation of French troops on August 1st 1945. |
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| 1944 Official delegation to negotiate with the French |
| The Lebanese Government formed an official delegation to negotiate with the French the terms concerning the handing over of the LAF. After nearly three weeks of talks, the joint French-British Command decreed that responsibility for armed units under French control are to be handed over to the Independent Government of Lebanon. |
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| 1945 On August 1st |
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On August 1st at 00:00 hours, the LAF was placed under full authority of the Lebanese National Government. |
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| 1948 "Third Sharp Shooters Regiment" |
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The Lebanese Third Sharp Shooters Regiment fought against the Israeli Forces which were occupying the Lebanese village of Malkieh and liberated it. |
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| 1958 Sense of unity |
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During the internal upheaval of this year, the LAF were able to promote a delicate balance and encourage a sense of unity. |
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| 1975 Political collapse |
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The total political collapse of the country prevented the LAF from asserting their national duty as preserver of the internal stability and security. |
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| 1978 Devastation of Israeli forces |
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On March 13th, the Israeli forces invaded the southern part of the country, reaching the Litani river. The United Nations Security Council issued resolution 425 which called for the unconditional withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces to the internationally recognized borders.
The UN deployed 4000 troops in the South of Lebanon to ensure the total withdrawal of the Israeli troops and to help the Lebanese Government establish its sovereignty. Lebanon dispatched 700 troops to the South to take positions with UN troops in order to start implementing Resolution 425.
When the troops reached the village of Kawkaba they came under heavy Israeli shelling, which impeded further advance. They remained in Kawkaba until the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. |
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| 1982 Israel’s invasion |
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Israel's invasion of Lebanon all the way to its capital Beirut resulted in extended suffering of the Lebanese people. |
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| 1988 Parliament failed to elect a new President |
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After the Parliament failed to elect a new President, former President Amine Gemayel appointed a military government before leaving office. Lebanon was thus ruled by two governments, and the army was scattered under two army commands according to their location. This period witnessed the peak of deterioration and polarization, until the decision was made to end the violence and to reunite and reconstruct the armed forces. |
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| 1990 October 13 |
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On October 13 a military operation resulted in the unification of the Army, ceasing the fighting and reinstating civil peace in Lebanon. |
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| Today |
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Today under the command of General Michel Sleiman, the LAF endeavor to protect constitutional legitimacy and operate in accordance to their role as defined in the Constitution. The Lebanese Army implements the resolutions of the Lebanese Council of Ministers. |
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