Collage by Jaimee Lee Haddad/L'Orient Today
“Our unit was the most powerful in the Middle East,” says Elias*, a former member of the Lebanese Forces' elite troops. But in April 1991, he turned in his khaki uniform and handgun at the residence of LF leader Samir Geagea in Ghodreis, Kesrouan.It came after the Taif Agreement of 1989 ended the Lebanese Civil War, and Prime Minister Omar Karami’s government gave militias one month to disarm. Then-President Elias Hrawi (1989–1998) said he would enforce the deadline, if necessary, with help from Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon since 1976.It was a turning point in Lebanon’s bloody modern history. Elias says he felt relief when “all armed factions were put on equal footing.” All except Hezbollah and Palestinian factions, which were deemed part of the “resistance” against Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. Need the context?...
“Our unit was the most powerful in the Middle East,” says Elias*, a former member of the Lebanese Forces' elite troops. But in April 1991, he turned in his khaki uniform and handgun at the residence of LF leader Samir Geagea in Ghodreis, Kesrouan.It came after the Taif Agreement of 1989 ended the Lebanese Civil War, and Prime Minister Omar Karami’s government gave militias one month to disarm. Then-President Elias Hrawi (1989–1998) said he would enforce the deadline, if necessary, with help from Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon since 1976.It was a turning point in Lebanon’s bloody modern history. Elias says he felt relief when “all armed factions were put on equal footing.” All except Hezbollah and Palestinian factions, which were deemed part of the “resistance” against Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. ...