1] When was the
term "Lebanese Forces" first used and during
what battle?
It was during the Metn war in March 1976 that
the term "Lebanese Forces" was first used to
refer to the coalition of the Christian militias. However
the "Lebanese Forces" did not enjoy at that
time any organizational structure.
2] What famous LF leader and Kataeb member lead
the "Jaysh Loubnan" militia before the creation
of the LF?
Artillery units of the Army of Lebanon (Jaysh Lubnan)
which was composed of a military command council made
of Bashir Gemayel and Fouad Roukoz (Kataeb)
3] When did major Christian militias decide to
unify the Christian commands and form the Lebanese Forces?
The major Christian militias agreed on the formulation
of the statute of the unified command structure on August
25th, 1976 and named the unified command the "Lebanese
Forces".
4] What was the statute of the LF when declared?
The statute defined the goal of the Lebanese
Forces as:"to liberate the Lebanese territory from
all foreign troops".
5] How was the composition of the LF when declared?
The Lebanese Forces according to that statute
was composed of a Joint Command Council, a staff department
and the fighting troops of the Christian militias. The
Joint command council would include representatives from
the Kataeb, NLP, Tanzim and Guardians of the Cedars in
addition to the chief of staff.
6] When was the Joint Command council of the Lebanese
Forces created?
The Joint Command Council of the Lebanese Forces
was created on August 30th, 1976
7] Who headed the post of chief of staff for the
year 1976 in the Joint Command Council of the LF?
The Joint Command council nominated Colonel Nazih
Rachid to the post of chief of staff.
8] When and where was the first clash between
the LF and the Syrian soldiers?
On the first of July, 1978 the Syrian soldiers
clashed with members of the Lebanese Forces in Sassine
square street, Achrafiyeh. A few hours later, they arrested
Bashir Gemayel but released him on the same day.
9] Who along with Sheikh Bashir opposed the extension
of the mandate of the Arab Deterrent Forces in Lebanon
back in 1978?
The President of the Lebanese Front, Camille
Chamoun together with Bashir Gemayel strongly opposed
the extension of the mandate of the Arab Deterrent Forces
which they described as occupation troops.
10] When did the Joint Command Council isolate
themselves militarily from other party militias?
In February 1979, the Syrian army resumed its
shelling of East Beirut. The leaders of the militias forming
the Lebanese Front decided to merge their respective militias.
The Joint Command Council began creating integrated military
formations that were separate and independent from the
party militias, which all along continued to represent
the military structure of their respective political parties.
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