The battle | Socialist Action 1983

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ACTION SociAlist LAST WEEK'S fightin/ in Lebanon has changed the political situation not only in that country but in the whole Middle East. PHIL HEARSE outlines the course of the Battle of Beirut, the stakes for the US, Israel and Syria and the prospects for the future. possible to establish the power of the minority - has Palestinian fighers loyal to PLO dissident leader Abu had joined the fighting against Gemayel and the Phalange.

The whole of southern Beirut was shelled by the army as its citizens took to their cellars.

tinued over the weekend As the fighting cracks started to appear in the Lebanese army. During the 1975-76 civil war, the army. had broken in two, with its Muslim component defecting to the left-nationalist oppostThe same process started to reassert itself By Sunday 5 February it was clear that the army sout Beirut Several a my lost battle for had defected Amal, taking their weapons with them.

On Sunday afternoon Gemayel's prime minister shafig al-Wazzen and hi cabinet resignca Amal's victory in south Beirut cut the road to the airport, effectively cutting Communicauons the centre of Beirut and the us troons. WHO WeLC now isolated and extreme. ly vulnerable On Monday. morning there was a lull the fighting. Then events took dramatic turn in West Beirut. The Murabitun 'Nasserist' militia suddenly emerged on the streets of West Beirut, in uniform big and full armed.

In 1983 the Israelis disarmed the Murabitun everyone imagined not crushed a ferocious battle alongside units of both Amal and the Druze PSP, to liberate West Beirut. West Beirut itself came under heavy artillery atte LIlC Christian-held areas, Christian wast Beirut was bombarded Druze positions in the hills.

By Monday West Beirut was liberated Radio and television stations, together with the In terior Ministry were captured. This was the second defeat for the Lebanese army. As Sunni and Shi'ite leaders appealea to une wusum soldiers fight, the army had began to disintegrate.

Huge weaponry were handed over to the militias by deserting Moslem soldiers

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