The Lebanon war broke out in 1975 and lasted until 1990. More than 100,000 people lost their lives during the civil conflict, which involved external forces like the PLO and regional powers like Israel and Syria
Report on the situation in the Lebanese capital, which has just had three nights of nightmares. Explosions and shots are multiplying and no neighborhood is safe from violence. Some Palestinian camps are besieged by Christian phalanges. Only Red Cross ambulances are on the streets, which are also the target of fire. Comments on images of the city and destruction, inhabitants reading the press, ambulances and snipers.
Report by Daniel BILALIAN who was able to film the entry of the Israeli army into West Beirut. Perched on an Israeli tank and surrounded by inhabitants in Hamra Street, in the centre of the capital, the journalist recounts the events.
Report on the reactions of Lebanese civilians and military following Syria’s intervention in their country, in order to restore order. Syrian President Hafez el Assad, who claims to be in Lebanon only to end the fighting, has failed to convince the Arab world of its sincerity. Comments on pictures of the Syrian-Lebanese border, Syrian soldiers, tanks in the streets, distribution of leaflets, panoramic over the city of Damascus and daily life in the streets of the city.
The funeral of Bechir Gemayel, President of the Lebanese Republic, was held yesterday in the mountain village of Bickfaya, Lebanon, in the presence of a large crowd. Commentary on images of the funeral.
In the context of a lull in the fighting between Christians and Muslims in Beirut, meeting with the leaders of the opposing camps, Pierre GEMAYEL, leader of the Phalangist militia and Kamal JOUMBLATT, representative of a Palestinianprogressive. The first states that Lebanon gave hospitality to the Arabs who abused it. The second evokes the sadism of the Phalangists and asserts that 1789 must pass through here. Interviews of the two men introduced by images showing them with their sympathizers.
Report on the liquidation of enclaves in Lebanon through the example of Damour, a Christian city isolated in a region controlled by Palestinians and progressive forces, where an artillery flood fell for 48 hours and According to the Phalangists, thirty women and children were killed. The Palestinians defended themselves against it, but the city was nevertheless deserted and ruined, "falling into the hands of Islam and the Revolution". Comments on pictures of soldiers, a corpse and the city.
Interview with Lebanese President Amine GEMAYEL on the conflict in his country. It believes that the Lebanese government "controls only 10 to 20% of the territory" and wishes to "extend its sovereignty over 100% of the territory". He believes that this sense of independence is at odds with the aims of the Syrian and Israeli occupiers.
Exclusive report on the surrender of Palestinian refugees from the Tel al Zaatar camp in Beirut on 12 August. They were evacuated by the army to the village of Dekouane. The camp was besieged by the Phalangists who massacred many civilians. Comments on images of the departure of civilians, weeping women, an injured amputee and Jean Hoefliger, Swiss representative of the Red Cross who had negotiated for the evacuation of the wounded. Interview with Amine GEMAYEL, head of phalangist on the spot recognizing certain atrocities.
Report on "Peace in Galilee" in South Lebanon. Update on the progress of the Israeli army in the south of the country and the reinforcement of troops of reservists at the border. Comments on factual images of tanks on a road and plateau in a situation of Daniel BILALIAN, Special Envoy to Israel.
Reporting in the Palestinian camp of Sabra, in Beirut, fell 48 hours ago in the hands of the Shiite militia of movement Amal, who carried out summarized executions. On the occasion of a ceasefire, the latter, accompanied by a brigade of the Lebanese army, allowed journalists and some Palestinian families to enter the camp. Plans of the militiamen and Palestinians in the middle of ruined houses. Interview with Nabih BERRI, leader of the Amal movement, justifying his action.
Report on the climate of insecurity in Beirut over the past month and a half, due to clashes between the Christian right-wing phalanges and the Palestinian resistance, which have caused many victims. In the absence of a solution, certain categories of the population, who until then were not involved, choose their camp and withdraw from it. Beirut is a juxtaposition of neighborhoods that are defined by their denominational affiliation or the ethnic origin of their inhabitants, to which were added refugee camps, strong places of Palestinian resistance. Pierre Gemayel, leader of Christian phalanges, sees these camps as an attack on the sovereignty of his country. Comments on images of the city, its religious buildings, fighters and press articles.
Report on the massacre that took place on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, where armed men attacked two Palestinian refugee camps, Sabra and Shatila, killing men, women and children. Comments on images of civilians in tears and corpses littering the streets of the camps of Sabra and Chatila.
Report on Israeli raids on Palestinian camps in southern Lebanon, which included a military barracks. Four Lebanese officers were killed. Until now, Israelis seemed to avoid military objectives in order to focus on the bases of Palestinian resistance. This bombing indicates that Israeli troops will no longer spare the Lebanese army. The Palestinian refugees, however, paid the highest price. Commentary on images of ruined camps in southern Lebanon and women mourning the dead soldiers.
A report on the meeting organized in Paris by some 20 Lebanese deputies who participated in the negotiation of the Taëf agreement, with a view to the presidential election in their country. This election is a prerequisite for the implementation of the Taëf agreement, refused by General Michel Aoun who threatens to dissolve the Lebanese Parliament. Plans for the meeting and interview of Mr BABIKIAN, Lebanese deputy, explaining in French that they are currently in talks with General Michel Aoun and expressing the will of the Lebanese people to live "free, sovereign and independent".
Report devoted to the hopes for peace in Lebanon. In Beirut, reunification began with the destruction of the demarcation line between the two sectors of the capital, while life resumed in the city center. However, in Tripoli, in the north of the country, the fighting was still very deadly and could only be solved with the help of Syria. In the south of the country, the Israeli army could harden its attitude. Comments on images of Christian and Muslim soldiers fraternizing on the demarcation line between East and West Beirut, scenes of daily life in the city center of the capital and scenes of fighting in Tripoli.
In Beirut in ruins, meeting a woman and her little girl who live in a Christian neighborhood and persist in wanting to stay there despite the incessant shots. Comments on pictures of the neighborhood, bullet holes and the child’s face. Interview of the mother stating that she will not leave her house.
Interview with PLO President Yasser ARAFAT about the Israelis' non-compliance with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the presence of peacekeepers in the south of the country ("this is a Lebanese problem") and the possibility of Palestinians returning to South Lebanon.
Report in Beirut, where the city centre is ravaged by clashes between phalangists and left forces. The record of this civil war is growing every day, under the impotent eye of the gendarmerie and the army. The country is now divided into two camps. Feedback on pictures of street fights, shooters behind barricades and devastated buildings.
In southern Lebanon, after the departure of the Israelis, the inhabitants of Saida saw the Shia fundamentalists arrive en masse. They protested with the Sunni extremists to demand an Islamic regime in Lebanon. Women in Chador burned the Lebanese flag. At the same time, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a car bomb exploded in the Shia districts. Comments on images of the demonstration in Saida around the religious leaders, as well as the wounded in the capital.
Report in Lebanon on the situation in the mountainous massif of the Chouf, fief for centuries of the Druze community, a component of the left that has often been in conflict with the Maronites. Update on alliances and conflicts in this region since the beginning of the civil war in 1975. Comments on images of the region, members of the Druze community and patrols.