After the war · From the books
UNIFIL's mandate is renewed and its strength cut to 4,500.
Search the chronologies
all by dates · all chronologieschronologiesallThe road to war 1968–1974The Lebanese war 1975–1990After the war 1991–2005July 2006, as the books tell it 2006Since 2005 2005–2025
37 entries on 36 dates · the books disagree on 7
January 2001
Tuesday, 30 January 2001
February 2001
February 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Christian opposition figures form the Qornet Shehwan Gathering.
Patriarch Sfeir informally led this anti-Syrian Christian gathering of the centre-right, whose members ranged from ex-president Amine Gemayel to Samir Frangieh, formerly of the National Movement.
Patriarch Sfeir informally led this anti-Syrian Christian gathering of the centre-right, whose members ranged from ex-president Amine Gemayel to Samir Frangieh, formerly of the National Movement.
Sources differ: February 2001 (Haugbolle) or April 2001 (Picard).
March 2001
March 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
On a US tour, Patriarch Sfeir demands that Syrian forces leave Lebanon.
April 2001
April 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
The 'Memory for the Future' colloquium breaks the silence on the war.
Amal Makarem convened it at the UN building in Beirut: Lebanese journalists, academics and lawyers met transitional-justice specialists from Germany, Rwanda and South Africa. Several organisers later set up the Association Mémoire pour l'Avenir.
Amal Makarem convened it at the UN building in Beirut: Lebanese journalists, academics and lawyers met transitional-justice specialists from Germany, Rwanda and South Africa. Several organisers later set up the Association Mémoire pour l'Avenir.
Sources differ: April 2001 (Haugbolle) or March 2001 (title cited by Reder).
Art and memory
- testimony Haugbolle's notes cite the 111101.net artist page and 111101.com: the artist Naji Zahar, he writes, started a war-memory discussion group in the late 1990s and later created 111101, an award-winning online memory database.
After the war · From the books
Rival demonstrations over Syria revive fears of war around 13 April.
Haugbolle notes that in April 2001 several newspapers wondered whether war could return: they reported ex-militiamen stirring in both East and West Beirut after rival rallies, some against Syria, some for the government.
Haugbolle notes that in April 2001 several newspapers wondered whether war could return: they reported ex-militiamen stirring in both East and West Beirut after rival rallies, some against Syria, some for the government.
May 2001
Thursday, 24 May 2001
After the war · From the books
A national holiday marks one year since the 'liberation' of the south.
Sources differ: Abirached dates the anniversary 24 May; de Clerck and Malsagne date the withdrawal itself to 25 May (see the withdrawal entry).
June 2001
June 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Syrian troops partly withdraw from Beirut.
In June 2001, a year after Bashar al-Assad took power, some Syrian units moved from Beirut and its eastern suburbs to the north and east, while the bulk of the army stayed. Reported troop numbers: 25,000 after 2000, 21,000 in 2001, 17,000 in 2004.
In June 2001, a year after Bashar al-Assad took power, some Syrian units moved from Beirut and its eastern suburbs to the north and east, while the bulk of the army stayed. Reported troop numbers: 25,000 after 2000, 21,000 in 2001, 17,000 in 2004.
August 2001
Saturday, 4 August 2001
After the war · From the books
Patriarch Sfeir's visit to the Chouf seals a Maronite-Druze reconciliation.
Patriarch Sfeir toured the Chouf and called on Walid Jumblatt, eighteen years after the Mountain war; thousands of villagers applauded. Yet most displaced Christians still did not return.
Patriarch Sfeir toured the Chouf and called on Walid Jumblatt, eighteen years after the Mountain war; thousands of villagers applauded. Yet most displaced Christians still did not return.
August 2001: day not established
After the war · From the books
Hundreds of Lebanese Forces and Aoun supporters are arrested.
Reacting to the Maronite–Druze reconciliation, the security services detained anti-Syrian activists for allegedly plotting against the state, and plainclothes police forcibly broke up a protest outside Beirut's Palace of Justice. The cabinet and parliament approved the crackdown.
Reacting to the Maronite–Druze reconciliation, the security services detained anti-Syrian activists for allegedly plotting against the state, and plainclothes police forcibly broke up a protest outside Beirut's Palace of Justice. The cabinet and parliament approved the crackdown.
Sources differ: Hundreds (Picard) or 200 (Quéméner).
October 2001
Monday, 22 October 2001
After the war · From the books
After Hezbollah strikes Israeli posts at Shebaa, Israel hits back with raids in the south.
2001
late 2001 (after 11 September): day not established
After the war · From the books
The United States lists Hezbollah as a terrorist group; Beirut refuses to act.
Washington asked Lebanon to freeze Hezbollah's assets and disarm it; the government refused, citing the unfinished Israeli withdrawal.
Washington asked Lebanon to freeze Hezbollah's assets and disarm it; the government refused, citing the unfinished Israeli withdrawal.
January 2002
January 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Elie Hobeika is killed by a car bomb near Beirut.
The former Lebanese Forces intelligence chief, widely held responsible for Sabra and Shatila and a minister after the war, died shortly before he was to testify in the Belgian case against Ariel Sharon.
The former Lebanese Forces intelligence chief, widely held responsible for Sabra and Shatila and a minister after the war, died shortly before he was to testify in the Belgian case against Ariel Sharon.
February 2002
Thursday, 14 February 2002
After the war · From the books range
Assaad Shaftari's war confessions appear in al-Hayat.
In three interviews with Hazim al-Amin, Hobeika's former aide described his militia years, including orders to execute captives, and called for the truth to be told so that the next generation might forgive.
In three interviews with Hazim al-Amin, Hobeika's former aide described his militia years, including orders to execute captives, and called for the truth to be told so that the next generation might forgive.
March 2002
Sunday, 31 March 2002
After the war · From the books
Israel threatens to strike Syria over its support for Hezbollah.
On 14 April, two weeks after that threat, Ariel Sharon charged Syria and Iran with supporting Hezbollah's attacks.
On 14 April, two weeks after that threat, Ariel Sharon charged Syria and Iran with supporting Hezbollah's attacks.
April 2002
Wednesday, 3 April 2002
After the war · From the books
The government announces Syrian troop withdrawals from parts of Mount Lebanon.
The move was presented as an application of the Taif Agreement.
The move was presented as an application of the Taif Agreement.
Friday, 12 April 2002
After the war · From the books
Iran's foreign minister urges Hezbollah not to provoke a war.
May 2002
Saturday, 25 May 2002
After the war · From the books
On Liberation Day Nasrallah declares Hezbollah's support for the Palestinian intifada.
August 2002
August 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Sharon calls a Lebanese water pump on the Wazzani a cause for war.
A war over the Council of the South's plan to supply some fifty villages from the Wazzani, a Hasbani tributary, was averted by American, Russian and European mediation.
A war over the Council of the South's plan to supply some fifty villages from the Wazzani, a Hasbani tributary, was averted by American, Russian and European mediation.
November 2002
November 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Before-and-after photographs of downtown go on show in Place de l'Étoile.
Haugbolle calls the book version, 'Beirut's Memory', propaganda: a Solidere-linked bank published it in the name of Hariri's photographer Ayman Traoui. On site, paired 1990 and 2002 views ringed the clock tower.
Haugbolle calls the book version, 'Beirut's Memory', propaganda: a Solidere-linked bank published it in the name of Hariri's photographer Ayman Traoui. On site, paired 1990 and 2002 views ringed the clock tower.
December 2002
December 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Rustom Ghazaleh replaces Ghazi Kanaan as Syria's intelligence chief in Lebanon.
Kanaan had ruled from Anjar since 1982, vetting candidates and shaping the 2000 electoral map; his recall signalled Bashar al-Assad's tighter grip on Lebanon. Ghazaleh, his replacement, was implicated in Al-Madina bank's 2003 collapse.
Kanaan had ruled from Anjar since 1982, vetting candidates and shaping the 2000 electoral map; his recall signalled Bashar al-Assad's tighter grip on Lebanon. Ghazaleh, his replacement, was implicated in Al-Madina bank's 2003 collapse.
Sources differ: Farewell ceremony 9 October 2002 versus replacement in December 2002.
2002
summer 2002: day not established
After the war · From the books
Much of rebuilt downtown Beirut is inaugurated as 'Beirut reborn'.
Posters ('Le Liban vit'), full-page press advertisements and television spots hailed the completion, with no reference to the war.
Posters ('Le Liban vit'), full-page press advertisements and television spots hailed the completion, with no reference to the war.
February 2012
February 2012: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
Fighting in Tripoli between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen (February-December 2012).
From February to December, Tripoli's pro-regime Alawite quarter of Jabal Mohsen and its Sunni quarter of Bab al-Tebbaneh, which backed the Syrian opposition, clashed.
From February to December, Tripoli's pro-regime Alawite quarter of Jabal Mohsen and its Sunni quarter of Bab al-Tebbaneh, which backed the Syrian opposition, clashed.
June 2012
Monday, 11 June 2012
Since 2005 · From the books
The Baabda Declaration commits Lebanon to 'dissociation' from regional conflicts.
The declaration, agreed at President Sleiman's National Dialogue, pledged 'dissociation' from regional conflicts and border control, mainly towards Syria; Picard considers the promise empty from the outset.
The declaration, agreed at President Sleiman's National Dialogue, pledged 'dissociation' from regional conflicts and border control, mainly towards Syria; Picard considers the promise empty from the outset.
October 2012
Friday, 19 October 2012
Since 2005 · From the books
Intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan is assassinated.
Seven people died along with Wissam al-Hassan, head of ISF intelligence and an investigator of Hariri's assassination, in a Beirut car bombing.
Seven people died along with Wissam al-Hassan, head of ISF intelligence and an investigator of Hariri's assassination, in a Beirut car bombing.
2012
2012: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
Former minister Michel Samaha is arrested.
Picard treats the arrest as evidence that Syrian-paid agents took part in the unrest after the 2005 withdrawal.
Picard treats the arrest as evidence that Syrian-paid agents took part in the unrest after the 2005 withdrawal.
January 2015
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Since 2005 · From the books
Israeli strike near Quneitra kills Hezbollah fighters, including Jihad Mughniyeh.
An Israeli helicopter strike near Quneitra, on the Syrian-held Golan, killed six Hezbollah men, including local military chief Jihad Mughniyeh, and Iranian military personnel; Hezbollah hit back at an Israeli convoy in the Shebaa enclave.
An Israeli helicopter strike near Quneitra, on the Syrian-held Golan, killed six Hezbollah men, including local military chief Jihad Mughniyeh, and Iranian military personnel; Hezbollah hit back at an Israeli convoy in the Shebaa enclave.
Friday, 30 January 2015
Since 2005 · From the books
Nasrallah declares that Hezbollah no longer recognises separate battlefields.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah reserved the right to confront the aggressor whenever, wherever and by whatever means it chose.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah reserved the right to confront the aggressor whenever, wherever and by whatever means it chose.
May 2015
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Since 2005 · From the books
On the anniversary of Israel's 2000 withdrawal, Nasrallah says Hezbollah will fight wherever needed in Syria.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah would be wherever in Syria the battle required, speaking on the fifteenth anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from the South.
Nasrallah said Hezbollah would be wherever in Syria the battle required, speaking on the fifteenth anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from the South.
July 2015
Friday, 17 July 2015
Since 2005 · From the books
Rubbish collection stops in Beirut: the garbage crisis begins.
Sukleen's collection contract expired on 17 July and the post-war dump, meant to last five or six years, was overflowing; with politicians unable to agree on a new site, rubbish piled up.
Sukleen's collection contract expired on 17 July and the post-war dump, meant to last five or six years, was overflowing; with politicians unable to agree on a new site, rubbish piled up.
summer 2015: day not established
Since 2005 · From the books
The heights between Qaa and Ras Baalbek become a front of the Syrian war.
Pushed out of the Qalamoun, groups claiming al-Nusra, FSA or, later, Islamic State allegiance used Sunni villages of the eastern Bekaa as rear bases.
Pushed out of the Qalamoun, groups claiming al-Nusra, FSA or, later, Islamic State allegiance used Sunni villages of the eastern Bekaa as rear bases.
August 2015
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Since 2005 · From the books range
'You Stink' protests fill central Beirut (22-23 August).
Protests called by the citizens' collective 'You Stink' denounced government incompetence; clashes between more than ten thousand people and police left dozens injured. Reder says the movement helped bring about the Beirut Madinati list.
Protests called by the citizens' collective 'You Stink' denounced government incompetence; clashes between more than ten thousand people and police left dozens injured. Reder says the movement helped bring about the Beirut Madinati list.
November 2015
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Since 2005 · From the books
Double suicide bombing in Burj al-Barajneh, the deadliest since the civil war.
Two suicide bombers struck in quick succession beside a community centre and a bakery in Burj al-Barajneh, in the Shi'i southern suburb; the Islamic State claimed responsibility. Parliament had sat that day for the first time in months.
Two suicide bombers struck in quick succession beside a community centre and a bakery in Burj al-Barajneh, in the Shi'i southern suburb; the Islamic State claimed responsibility. Parliament had sat that day for the first time in months.
Sources differ: Dead: 43 in de Clerck and Malsagne's chronology, 44 in their epilogue and Quéméner's calendar, 50 in his narrative, which also places the attack in 'Dbaiyeh', evidently a slip, since the calendar says Burj al-Barajneh.
January 2020
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Since 2005 · From the books
Hassan Diab forms a government.
Protesters rejected the cabinet over Hezbollah's role in forming it and its ties to the old political class; six women among twenty ministers changed little.
Protesters rejected the cabinet over Hezbollah's role in forming it and its ties to the old political class; six women among twenty ministers changed little.
February 2020
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Since 2005 · From the books
Parliament votes confidence in Diab's government despite road blocks.
84 MPs reached parliament and 63 voted in favour.
84 MPs reached parliament and 63 voted in favour.
June 2020
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Since 2005 · From the books
The US Caesar Act against Syria comes into force, hitting Lebanon's economy.
The new US sanctions on Syria hurt Lebanon's trade and deterred Western investors just as its financial crisis worsened.
The new US sanctions on Syria hurt Lebanon's trade and deterred Western investors just as its financial crisis worsened.
August 2020
Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Since 2005 · From the books
Explosion at the port of Beirut.
More than 240 people were killed and thousands injured when a massive explosion destroyed Beirut's port and devastated much of the city, already reeling from financial collapse and Covid-19.
More than 240 people were killed and thousands injured when a massive explosion destroyed Beirut's port and devastated much of the city, already reeling from financial collapse and Covid-19.
Sources differ: Deaths: more than 240 in the chronology; 244, with over 6,500 injured, in the introduction, which cites a 2022 article naming the victims.
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Since 2005 · From the books
The Special Tribunal finds an alleged Hezbollah member guilty of Hariri's murder and sentences him in absentia.
After ten contested years, the tribunal convicted one alleged Hezbollah member in absentia. Hezbollah, which never cooperated, called the court politicised and a Western tool; de Clerck and Malsagne say Lebanese taxpayers paid 800 million dollars for it.
After ten contested years, the tribunal convicted one alleged Hezbollah member in absentia. Hezbollah, which never cooperated, called the court politicised and a Western tool; de Clerck and Malsagne say Lebanese taxpayers paid 800 million dollars for it.