The Lebanese Civil War: Effects on the Contemporary Political System

On the 6th of June 1982, without taking into consideration the international law that prohibits the use of force between states Israel invaded South Lebanon under the orders of Defence Minister Ariel Sharon. Israel invaded South Lebanon under the pretext of expelling the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) in retaliation to the assassination of Israeli Diplomat to the United Kingdom. Initially, the Israelites declared that they will not transgress into Lebanon however, in 1982 under the orders of Ariel Sharon, Israel invaded Lebanon which was known as Operation Peace for Galilee or the First Lebanon War. The situation escalated in South Lebanon and many fronts were now opened. The Israelite Defence Forces formed a security zone and the Litani River was their target. A proxy Israeli- Lebanese militia alliance was also created and funded by the state of Israel. In an unexpected turn the South Lebanese people formed resistant fronts and fought back, which eventually led to the liberation by South Lebanon. This thesis explores whether aggression of the SLA (SLA) contributed to the birth of resistance or whether the presence of Israel and other militia forces had contributed to the birth of resistance in South Lebanon. Keywords: Lebanon, Israel, Resistance, Hezbollah, S.L.A, P.L.O