Civil War in Lebanon, 1975-92 - by E O'Ballance (Hardcover)

About the Book

With a nominal Christian majority, Lebanon has suffered not only periods of civil war and internal infighting, but also invasions by Palestinians, Syrians, and Israelis. This book tells the story of a 16-year-long civil war (1975-1992) noted for massacres, treachery, atrocities, kidnapping, assassination, changing alliances of convenience, and invasions.

Book Synopsis

The sixteen-year long civil war in Lebanon was caused by dissatisfaction over the distribution of political power. The system favoured Christians who fought to eject Palestinian armed forces, which sought to use the country as a spring board for attacks into adjacent Israel. Western intervention was repelled by suicide-bombing attacks. Lebanese Christians and Muslims sub-divided to fight each other. Dominated by competing war lords, this civil war was notable for massacres, treachery, atrocities, kidnapping, assassination, changing alliances of convenience, and invasions.

Review Quotes

'...a tightly written and organized survey of the conflict, supplemented by an excellent chronology...' - Hubert R. van Tuyll, Journal of Third World Studies

About the Author

EDGAR O'BALLANCE served in the British and Indian armies during World War II, reaching the rank of Colonel. He worked as a journalist from 1948-62 for a US Wire Agency, and since then as a freelance journalist. He has covered over 20 wars and insurgencies and written extensively on international relations, defence and strategic problems. He is a member of the IISS, RUSI, and the former Chairman of the London-based Military Commentators Circle.