111101 entry in the original chronology
Murderous Israeli raids on Palestinian and Progressive Socialist Party positions in the region of Saida make kill 21 persons and wound 11.
64 original entries, 21 added from the books, 74 days.
original 111101 entry added from the books
Sunday, 3 January 1988
Monday, 4 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A Progressive Socialist Party member hijacks a Lebanese Army helicopter. This affair triggers a maritime blockade imposed by the Army on the Chouf region.
Sunday, 10 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
In order to avoid the escalation, Joumblatt surrenders the 'Gazelle' to the Hammana barrack but the major insists on going back to Adma. Two days later, this crisis is forgotten and the maritime blockade is lifted up.
Sunday, 17 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A 'Puma' crashes in the sea next to the Bouar coast with its captain Georges Sadaka on board and his co-pilot Jean Azzi. The search for the two bodies was unsuccessful.
Monday, 18 January 1988
Added from the books
Amal lifts its blockade of the Palestinian camps.
Amal ended the blockade of the Palestinian camps it had kept up since 1985. Hanf gives two reasons: the West Bank intifada, which made Syria and Amal look like Israel's accomplices if they kept squeezing the camps, and Amal's coming fight with Hezbollah.
Amal ended the blockade of the Palestinian camps it had kept up since 1985. Hanf gives two reasons: the West Bank intifada, which made Syria and Amal look like Israel's accomplices if they kept squeezing the camps, and Amal's coming fight with Hezbollah.
Sources differ: Existing entry 1053 (20 January) describes Syrian and Sixth Brigade deployment around Chatila and Bourj al-Barajneh. Picard's chronology dates an agreement ending the war of the camps to 11 September 1987; Hanf (p. 304) also says the war ended only in late 1988.
Wednesday, 20 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The camps war, that lasted three years, seems to come close to an end with the deployment of the Syrian army and the Lebanese Army sixth brigade, replacing Amal around Chatila and Bourj-Brajneh.
What the books addHanf (p. 315) dates the lifting of Amal's blockade of the camps to 18 January 1988. The sources disagree on when the war of the camps ended: September 1987 (Picard's chronology), January 1988 (Picard, Hanf, de Clerck) or late 1988 (Hanf, p. 304).
Thursday, 21 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The institute 'Etudes et Consultations Economiques' publishes the results of its annual analysis of the price increase in Beirut. They show an increase of 721% during the year 1987.
What the books addAccording to de Clerck and Malsagne (pp. 204-205), inflation peaked in 1987: the pound was devalued by 485% and Beirut consumer prices went up 450%.
Monday, 25 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
While hail falls on most of the country causing important damages, police patrols go round bakeries that are reducing the 2 kilos 'rabta' of bread, sold regularly at 65 LBP., to 1700grs.
Wednesday, 27 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Ralph Schary is kidnapped in West Beirut. Married to Rana Mounla, a Muslim from Tripoli, he is the third West German national who is kidnapped.
Friday, 29 January 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The fall of the dollar (400 LBP.) on the market (it had reached 430 LBP.) allows the Minister of Industry and Oil to reduce the price of oil from 1400 LBP. to 1200 LBP. and the ton of fuel from 69,200 LBP. to 52,000 LBP.
Tuesday, 2 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Jacques Merrin, a Frenchman working for the DGSE, is killed by unknown persons in the neighborhood of the Palace of Justice.
Wednesday, 3 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Winter is tough. A 20 cm snow layer covers Tripoli where it had not snowed since 1947.
Thursday, 4 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The emissary of President Amine Gemayel, Elie Salem, meets with the Secretary of State George Schultz in Washington in the presence of the Sub-Secretary for the Middle East Affairs, Richard Murphy.
Friday, 5 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Two Scandinavian employees of the UNRWA are kidnapped.
Friday, 12 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
An explosive charge of 880 grs of TNT is found and diffused in the airplane that has to transport President Gemayel to Sanaa.
Wednesday, 17 February 1988
Added from the books
US Colonel William Higgins, of the UN truce supervisors, is kidnapped near Tyre.
William Higgins, an American lieutenant-colonel with the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), was abducted at Tyre. He was accused of making the south a 'buffer zone serving Israel'. Amal held Hezbollah responsible, one of the grievances behind their war. A film of his hanging in captivity was circulated on 31 July 1989.
William Higgins, an American lieutenant-colonel with the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), was abducted at Tyre. He was accused of making the south a 'buffer zone serving Israel'. Amal held Hezbollah responsible, one of the grievances behind their war. A film of his hanging in captivity was circulated on 31 July 1989.
Sources differ: The Confluences article calls him a UNIFIL official; de Clerck's book says UNTSO.
Sunday, 28 February 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Lebanese thinker and man of letters Mikhael Neaimeh dies at the age of 98 following a bronchitis.
Thursday, 3 March 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Ralph Schray, The West German national kidnapped on January 27, is released in Beirut and driven to Damascus.
Monday, 7 March 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The R.F. Semaan Doueihy, Deputy of Zghorta, is killed by violent heart attack at the age of 67.
Friday, 18 March 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Ivory Coast decides to close its embassy in Beirut fearing that a negative action against its diplomats could cause repercussions on the Lebanese that live in the Ivory Coast.
Thursday, 31 March 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The first animated cartoons festival in Lebanon is inaugurated at the S.E.P in presence of several personalities as well as cartoonists who came from France.
Tuesday, 5 April 1988
Added from the books
The Amal-Hezbollah war begins in the south.
Amal launched an offensive to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Brief fighting, notably at Nabatiyeh and Ghaziyeh, went Amal's way, and armed Hezbollah fighters vanished from view there. A three-phase 'war of brothers' had begun, lasting until November 1990.
Amal launched an offensive to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Brief fighting, notably at Nabatiyeh and Ghaziyeh, went Amal's way, and armed Hezbollah fighters vanished from view there. A three-phase 'war of brothers' had begun, lasting until November 1990.
Sources differ: Existing entry 1068 dates the fall of Nabatiyeh to Amal to 6 April. Picard's chronology gives 28 November 1988 for the beginning of Amal-Hezbollah clashes. The Confluences article is by the same authors as de Clerck's book.
Wednesday, 6 April 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Following combats between Amal and Hezbollah, Nabatiyeh falls in the hands of Amal militiamen.
What the books addThe books date the start of the Amal-Hezbollah fighting in the south to 5 April 1988 (de Clerck); Picard's chronology gives 28 November 1988, which seems to describe the later round in Beirut.
Sunday, 24 April 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The northern Lebanon capital, Tripoli, is mourning because of a strong explosive charge that killed 66 and injured 26.
Wednesday, 27 April 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
27,000 public school teachers go on an open strike in order to obtain better medical and social benefits.
Saturday, 30 April 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The body of Bishop Albert Khoreiche was discovered in the forest of Chnaiir, provoking consternation in every milieu. He had disappeared eight days earlier in mysterious conditions.
What the books addDe Clerck and Malsagne (p. 420) identify the victim as head of the Maronite religious court and nephew of the former Patriarch Khoreiche. His body was discovered in a Ghazir forest on 1 May 1988, and the killing was attributed to the Lebanese Forces.
Wednesday, 4 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The affair of the three last French hostages has a happy ending. Marcel Fontaine, Marcel Carton and Jean-Paul Kauffman, detained for three years by the Islamic Jihad, are finally released. Michel Seurat, dead one year after he was made captive, wasn't as lucky.
What the books addJean-Charles Marchiani, the secret negotiator, later confirmed a Franco-Iranian bargain, suspected when the hostages were freed four days before the presidential run-off (de Clerck and Malsagne, p. 411).
Art and memory
- testimony Jean-Paul Kauffmann wrote at length of his three years in captivity in L'Evenement du Jeudi (12-18 May 1988); Fisk judges it the most harrowing account by any Beirut hostage.
Thursday, 5 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Lebanon requests an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council following Israeli military operations on its territory.
Friday, 6 May 1988
Added from the books
Amal and Hezbollah begin fighting for the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Beirut's southern suburbs became the scene of the second, deadlier round of the Amal-Hezbollah war. Hezbollah took most of the suburbs in about two weeks, after which Syrian troops entered to protect Amal; Quéméner counts 600 dead.
Beirut's southern suburbs became the scene of the second, deadlier round of the Amal-Hezbollah war. Hezbollah took most of the suburbs in about two weeks, after which Syrian troops entered to protect Amal; Quéméner counts 600 dead.
Sources differ: Hanf says Hezbollah, backed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and by money that bought over Amal commanders, attacked Amal; the Confluences article, citing sources close to Hezbollah, says it held back until Amal attacked. Entry 1074 gives 157 dead and 666 wounded in six days. For the Syrian entry, Hanf gives 17 May 1988, de Clerck and Malsagne '19 May 1989', and entry 1077 gives 27 May.
Wednesday, 11 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Iran and Syria sponsored a seven-point agreement destined to consolidate the end of combats in the southern suburbs that made, in 6 days, 157 death and 666 injured. The agreement was revised a few days later.
What the books addThe suburb fighting began on 6 May 1988 (de Clerck). The sources disagree on who attacked first: Hezbollah with Iranian support (Hanf) or Amal (de Clerck and Malsagne, Confluences). Quéméner puts the toll at 600 dead over two weeks.
Wednesday, 18 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A young unemployed man, Antoine Khalife, wins 150 millions LBP. at the Loto.
Thursday, 26 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Generals Ghazi Kanaan and Said Bayraqdar, respectively chief of S.S and Commander of the Syrian Forces in Lebanon, barely escape an attack in Ghobayre.
What the books addHanf (p. 317, note 221) describes a Hezbollah anti-tank attack on an armoured car carrying four senior Syrian officers, without casualties, in connection with the Syrian entry into the suburbs.
Friday, 27 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Syrians deploy in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
What the books addHanf (p. 317) dates the Syrian entry into the southern suburbs to 17 May 1988; de Clerck and Malsagne write 19 May (with the year printed as 1989). Neither gives 27 May.
Monday, 30 May 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A car bomb explodes in the region of Rmeil, killing 15 and injuring 61.
Friday, 3 June 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Nabih Berri, leader of the Amal movement, announces the dissolution of his militia in all regions except for Southern Lebanon.
Sunday, 5 June 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
2,200 tons of toxic waste were illegally brought in Lebanon and kept on waste grounds in the Kesrouan, after being rejected by Italy, Syria and Venezuela.
What the books addDe Clerck (p. 350) places the traffic in 1987 and implicates the Lebanese Forces. Its figures, from Greenpeace: 15,800 barrels and 20 containers from Italy, of which 5,500 barrels went back in 1988-1989; the rest was burned, dumped or buried, partly in the Kesrouan mountains.
Tuesday, 7 June 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Eight days after the Rmeil attack, a car bomb explodes in Ouzai, killing 3 and injuring 30.
Friday, 10 June 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A two hours face-to-face meeting between presidents Gemayel and Assad in Algeria opens a new page in the dialogue between Syria and Lebanon.
Monday, 27 June 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Chatila falls in the hands of the Palestinian dissidents.
What the books addDe Clerck (pp. 170, 576) dates the fall of Chatila to 28 June 1988, after 59 days of shelling; Arafat's fighters were escorted to Ain al-Hilweh.
Sunday, 3 July 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Because of simultaneous breakdowns in the Zouk and Jyeh power plants and on the Jyeh-Jamhour network, numerous regions are deprived of electrical power for more than 18 hours.
Friday, 8 July 1988
Added from the books
Bourj al-Barajneh camp falls to Abu Musa's forces.
After some 70 days of fighting, Syrian-backed Fatah dissidents took Bourj al-Barajneh, the last base Arafat held in Beirut. The Lebanese Internal Security Forces escorted his fighters to Ain al-Hilweh, outside Sidon; Syria now controlled the Beirut camps.
After some 70 days of fighting, Syrian-backed Fatah dissidents took Bourj al-Barajneh, the last base Arafat held in Beirut. The Lebanese Internal Security Forces escorted his fighters to Ain al-Hilweh, outside Sidon; Syria now controlled the Beirut camps.
Sources differ: De Clerck's chapter 2 says 'early July' and 'ten days' after Chatila fell at the end of June; his chronology and Hanf give 8 July.
Sunday, 17 July 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
While Beirut suffers powerlessly from the prolonged electricity failure and a tough water rationing, a flame of violence takes place in the North. Combats between the Jaafar and the population of Kobeyate kill 8 eight persons and wound about 30.
Monday, 1 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The habitants of Kobeyate and the Jaafar become reconciled.
Thursday, 4 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Richard Murphy arrives unexpectedly in Beirut where he defines to the President of the Republic Washington's position.
Tuesday, 9 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
As the inflation increases, new bills of 500 LBP. and 1000 LBP. are put on the market.
Wednesday, 10 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
For 5 months, 'Samarcande', the novel of Amin Maalouf, the young Lebanese writer (39 years old), who lives in Paris since 1976, is a best seller in France.
Tuesday, 16 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The former 78 years old Chief of State, Sleiman Frangie, announces officially his candidacy for the presidential elections.
What the books addTwo days later, on 18 August 1988, the session convened at the Mansour Palace failed to reach a quorum (Hanf, p. 569).
Thursday, 18 August 1988
Added from the books
The presidential election fails for lack of a quorum.
Syria backed Suleiman Franjieh. Speaker Hussein Husseini convened the deputies at the Mansour Palace, reachable from both sides of the Green Line. Of 76 surviving deputies, Muslims came (28 of 35), but only 10 of 41 Christians (2 of 21 Maronites), some stopped by the Lebanese Forces. With no quorum, Lebanon for the first time risked missing the constitutional deadline to elect a president.
Syria backed Suleiman Franjieh. Speaker Hussein Husseini convened the deputies at the Mansour Palace, reachable from both sides of the Green Line. Of 76 surviving deputies, Muslims came (28 of 35), but only 10 of 41 Christians (2 of 21 Maronites), some stopped by the Lebanese Forces. With no quorum, Lebanon for the first time risked missing the constitutional deadline to elect a president.
Tuesday, 23 August 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The 'Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation' (television of L.F) inaugurates channel 33, first French-speaking private television channel in the Middle East.
Thursday, 8 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The deputy of Jezzine, Farid Serhal is kidnapped at a P.S.P. checkpoint in Ouzai and driven to the Bristol Hotel.
Monday, 12 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Amid of the National Block, Raymond Edde, announces officially his candidacy for the presidential elections.
Tuesday, 13 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Fire exchanges between units of the Lebanese army and the Lebanese Forces in Sin-el-Fil and Mkalles killed one militiaman and injured another one.
Thursday, 15 September 1988
Added from the books
US envoy Richard Murphy begins talks in Damascus on the presidency.
Akkar deputy Mikhail Daher was jointly put forward for president by Washington and Damascus after US special envoy Richard Murphy's three days of talks in Damascus. Hanf ties US backing for Syria's choice to hopes of Syrian help over American hostages.
Akkar deputy Mikhail Daher was jointly put forward for president by Washington and Damascus after US special envoy Richard Murphy's three days of talks in Damascus. Hanf ties US backing for Syria's choice to hopes of Syrian help over American hostages.
Sunday, 18 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Mikhael Daher, deputy from the North, 'was designated' candidate at the presidential elections in accordance with a Syrian-American agreement. This designation did not please everyone.
What the books addHanf (pp. 569-570): the joint US-Syrian proposal came out of three days of talks in Damascus from 15 September, after which Murphy warned the Maronite Patriarch that the alternative to Daher was chaos.
Added from the books 18–21 September 1988
Christian leaders reject the US-Syrian candidate: 'Daher or chaos'.
Army commander Michel Aoun refused to accept a president chosen by Washington and Damascus, and twenty-seven deputies asked the Maronite Patriarch for a free vote at the Mansour Palace. Murphy had warned the Patriarch that the alternative to Daher was chaos, and Husseini had called the deputies to the old parliament on Place de l'Etoile, in a Syrian-held area.
Army commander Michel Aoun refused to accept a president chosen by Washington and Damascus, and twenty-seven deputies asked the Maronite Patriarch for a free vote at the Mansour Palace. Murphy had warned the Patriarch that the alternative to Daher was chaos, and Husseini had called the deputies to the old parliament on Place de l'Etoile, in a Syrian-held area.
Tuesday, 20 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A car bomb explodes in Dora killing 3 and injuring 37 including the outgoing Minister of Information, Joseph Skaff.
Wednesday, 21 September 1988
Added from the books
Gemayel's last mediation in Damascus; Aoun and Geagea meet.
Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea met while President Amin Gemayel, a day before his term ended, was in Damascus on a final mediation attempt; both feared he would yield to Syria. Back in Lebanon, Gemayel told the deputies gathered at the patriarchate that only Daher's election remained; they refused again.
Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea met while President Amin Gemayel, a day before his term ended, was in Damascus on a final mediation attempt; both feared he would yield to Syria. Back in Lebanon, Gemayel told the deputies gathered at the patriarchate that only Daher's election remained; they refused again.
Thursday, 22 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
A few minutes before the expiration of his mandate, President Amine Gemayel named the Maronite commander of the army, general Michel Aoun, Prime Minister of a military government. According to the constitution, the ministers' council takes over the executive power in case of a vacancy of the presidency. However, the three Muslim Ministers withdraw immediately.
What the books addHanf (p. 570) says Gemayel signed the decrees at 23.45, after an ultimatum from Aoun and Geagea, and that the cabinet had six officers from six communities. Traboulsi's postscript dates the end of the term to October 1988, and Picard (p. 155) and Quéméner to August 1988; the other sources agree on 22 September.
Added from the books
Three Amal leaders, among them its southern commander Daoud Daoud, are assassinated.
Daoud Daoud, Amal's commander in the south, was murdered with two other Amal officials; Amal blamed Hezbollah and later cast its war as a response to these killings. In 1988 Daoud had also proclaimed a Christian priest of Tyre, tortured to death, a martyr of Amal. That month the two militias clashed in the Bekaa, the south and Beirut's southern suburbs.
Daoud Daoud, Amal's commander in the south, was murdered with two other Amal officials; Amal blamed Hezbollah and later cast its war as a response to these killings. In 1988 Daoud had also proclaimed a Christian priest of Tyre, tortured to death, a martyr of Amal. That month the two militias clashed in the Bekaa, the south and Beirut's southern suburbs.
Sources differ: Hanf gives only September 1988; de Clerck and the Confluences article (same authors) give 22 September.
Friday, 23 September 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
General Aoun and Selim Hoss were fighting for the international recognition. The country was from now on divided in two regions run respectively in the 'East' by general Aoun and in the 'West' by Selim Hoss.
Monday, 3 October 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Indian hostage Singh, resident of the United States and detained for 21 months in Lebanon, is released.
Tuesday, 4 October 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Lebanese Forces announced an agreement on the unification of the forces in the East and took for the first time since 1975 control of the Northern Metn (barracks, offices, military positions), region considered as the fief of the former president Amine Gemayel.
What the books addHanf (p. 248, note 116) confirms that the Kataeb militia of the Metn kept some autonomy until October 1988; the Lebanese Forces took over Gemayel's institutions, such as the Maison du Futur and the daily Le Réveil (p. 613, note 4).
Wednesday, 12 October 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The French Minister of Culture and Communication, Jack Lang, decorates the Lebanese singer Feiruz, with the distinguishing mark of the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. Acording to Lang, Feiruz is the 'symbol of a country that refuses to die.'
Tuesday, 18 October 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The quorum had not been reached at the chamber of deputies, and the country found itself without legislative power and without a president of the Republic since September 23 but endowed with two executive organs.
Wednesday, 26 October 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
The Israeli airforce hits again in East Saida and in Southern Beirut killing 15 persons and injuring 48.
Monday, 7 November 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
General Antoine Lahd, Chief of the 'Army of Southern Lebanon', escapes an assassination attempt by a communist militant, Souha Bechara. She is arrested.
What the books addDe Clerck (p. 104) says Soha Bechara was then tortured and jailed for ten years at Khiam. Hanf (p. 321) dates the attempt to December 1988.
Art and memory
- book Soha Bechara told her story, from her attempt on Lahad's life to her ten years in Khiam prison, in Résistante (JC Lattès, 2000), written with Gilles Paris.
- place Khiam, the secret prison opened in 1985 in the Israeli-held zone, where Soha Bechara was among those detained.
Wednesday, 9 November 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Adel Osseirane names General Sami Khatib, former Chief of the Arab Strike Force, Chief Commander of the Army.
What the books addDe Clerck (p. 283) dates the appointment to 10 November and says Hoss made it; Hanf (p. 571) says early November. On 12 November Aoun's cabinet referred al-Khatib to the military court.
Saturday, 12 November 1988
Added from the books
Aoun's cabinet sends General Sami al-Khatib before the military court.
Aoun's cabinet referred Sami al-Khatib to the military court. Two days earlier Salim al-Hoss had made him, a Sunni, army commander, a post normally held by a Maronite, and Aoun's government had at once called it an attempt at partition. The army was split: about 15,000 men under Aoun, 12,000 under Hoss.
Aoun's cabinet referred Sami al-Khatib to the military court. Two days earlier Salim al-Hoss had made him, a Sunni, army commander, a post normally held by a Maronite, and Aoun's government had at once called it an attempt at partition. The army was split: about 15,000 men under Aoun, 12,000 under Hoss.
Sources differ: De Clerck dates al-Khatib's appointment to 10 November; existing entry 1105 gives 9 November; Hanf says early November.
Friday, 25 November 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
West Beirut was the stage of a fresh outbreak of combats between Amal militiamen and the Hezbollah, despite the Syrian army presence.
What the books addPicard dates this round to 28 November 1988, Hanf to early December.
Sunday, 27 November 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
President Takieddine Solh dies in Paris at the age of 80 following a heart attack.
Friday, 2 December 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
General Aoun orders the closure of the Museum-Berbir junction; the passage will be re-opened 17 days later.
Wednesday, 7 December 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
On the fifth day of a blockade imposed by the closure of the Museum-Berbir junction, the only supply road for fuel and food products, the bank of Lebanon gives up to the pressures and unfreezes credits for the West Beirut sector for direct importation of flour.
Tuesday, 13 December 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
An agreement takes place between the employers and the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers. The minimum wage is thus increased to 25,000 LBP.
Tuesday, 20 December 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Four days after the liberation of the R.C.I.C. Swiss delegate, Peter Winkler, kidnapped in Southern Lebanon on November 17 and released on December 16, the Red Cross International Committee decides to suspend its operations in Lebanon immediately and to repatriate its delegates.
Friday, 23 December 1988
Added from the books
Amal and Arafat's Fatah conclude an agreement.
Amal and Arafat's Fatah reached an accord to calm relations. The Palestinians left the Christian village of Maghdouche and Amal gradually eased its blockade of Rashidieh camp. De Clerck and Malsagne put the dead of the war of the camps at 2,000 to 3,000.
Amal and Arafat's Fatah reached an accord to calm relations. The Palestinians left the Christian village of Maghdouche and Amal gradually eased its blockade of Rashidieh camp. De Clerck and Malsagne put the dead of the war of the camps at 2,000 to 3,000.
Sources differ: De Clerck (pp. 91-92) dates the Arafat-Berri reconciliation to early 1988, before this formal agreement.
Thursday, 29 December 1988
111101 entry in the original chronology
Two French little girls (Marie-Laure and Virginie Valente) kidnapped 13 months earlier are delivered by the Libyan authorities to a French government emissary. The year ends in a very tense climate. The Lebanese are wondering about their future.
1988: day not established
1 January – 31 March 1988
Added from the books
Al-Mashreq, the country's second-largest bank, collapses.
Early in 1988 Al-Mashreq, the country's second-biggest bank, went bankrupt, throwing the banking system into a serious crisis. De Clerck links the bank's difficulties to the collapse, at the end of 1988, of the Kataeb financial network managed by Roger Tamraz.
Early in 1988 Al-Mashreq, the country's second-biggest bank, went bankrupt, throwing the banking system into a serious crisis. De Clerck links the bank's difficulties to the collapse, at the end of 1988, of the Kataeb financial network managed by Roger Tamraz.
March 1988
Added from the books
Brief fighting on the upper Metn front between the SSNP and the army.
Sunni soldiers from Akkar were among the army troops defending the Christian heartland on the upper Metn line when SSNP militiamen, mostly Christians from the same region, some from the same villages, attacked under Syrian artillery cover. The fighting stopped abruptly once they realised it.
Sunni soldiers from Akkar were among the army troops defending the Christian heartland on the upper Metn line when SSNP militiamen, mostly Christians from the same region, some from the same villages, attacked under Syrian artillery cover. The fighting stopped abruptly once they realised it.
early May 1988
Added from the books
Fatah and Abu Musa's dissidents fight for the Beirut camps.
Abu Musa's Syrian-backed Palestinians attacked Arafat's loyalists in Chatila and Bourj al-Barajneh once Amal had turned on Hezbollah; for about two months Palestinians fought in the camps while Shi'is fought in the suburbs. Bourj al-Barajneh's 17,000 people of 30 April, before the fighting, were 2,500 by summer.
Abu Musa's Syrian-backed Palestinians attacked Arafat's loyalists in Chatila and Bourj al-Barajneh once Amal had turned on Hezbollah; for about two months Palestinians fought in the camps while Shi'is fought in the suburbs. Bourj al-Barajneh's 17,000 people of 30 April, before the fighting, were 2,500 by summer.
Sources differ: De Clerck (p. 110) opens the same passage with 'December 1988', apparently a misprint, since he then says the fighting began in May. Counting back 59 days from 28 June (de Clerck) also gives about 30 April.
August 1988
Added from the books
West Beirut receives water three hours a day.
West Beirut's taps ran only three hours a day in August 1988, as Greater Beirut's water and power supply, worsened by economic decline, kept failing.
West Beirut's taps ran only three hours a day in August 1988, as Greater Beirut's water and power supply, worsened by economic decline, kept failing.
18 August – 22 September 1988
Added from the books
Salim al-Hoss withdraws his government's resignation.
President Gemayel wrote to Salim al-Hoss that the Constitution made the Karami cabinet's resignation final and that he would name a new cabinet before leaving office. Hoss, acting Prime Minister, had taken back that resignation after the failed session, to hold executive power if the presidency fell vacant.
President Gemayel wrote to Salim al-Hoss that the Constitution made the Karami cabinet's resignation final and that he would name a new cabinet before leaving office. Hoss, acting Prime Minister, had taken back that resignation after the failed session, to hold executive power if the presidency fell vacant.
23 September – 31 December 1988
Added from the books
At Mukhtara, Berri and Jumblatt declare the National Pact dead.
Nabih Berri and Walid Jumblatt, though ministers under Hoss, declared the National Pact dead at a congress in Mukhtara and demanded majority rule; the Baath, the SSNP, the Communist Party and Hobeika's militia also attended. Both rejected France's plan for elections under UN protection. Jumblatt said he preferred the 'national territories' joining Syria to reunion with a region held by the West and Israel's friends. Aoun's response was to style his cabinet the 'independent government' and to accuse Syria of seeking to annex Lebanon.
Nabih Berri and Walid Jumblatt, though ministers under Hoss, declared the National Pact dead at a congress in Mukhtara and demanded majority rule; the Baath, the SSNP, the Communist Party and Hobeika's militia also attended. Both rejected France's plan for elections under UN protection. Jumblatt said he preferred the 'national territories' joining Syria to reunion with a region held by the West and Israel's friends. Aoun's response was to style his cabinet the 'independent government' and to accuse Syria of seeking to annex Lebanon.
October 1988
Added from the books
Eight Israeli soldiers are killed in a suicide bombing in the south.
A suicide bomber killed eight Israeli soldiers in the south. That same month Israel heavily bombarded the Palestinian camp of Mieh-Mieh. Hanf notes that Israel regarded limited military losses of this kind in the security zone as tolerable.
A suicide bomber killed eight Israeli soldiers in the south. That same month Israel heavily bombarded the Palestinian camp of Mieh-Mieh. Hanf notes that Israel regarded limited military losses of this kind in the security zone as tolerable.
December 1988
Added from the books
Israeli commandos land south of Beirut and meet heavy resistance.
Israeli commandos, inserted by sea and by helicopter a little south of Beirut shortly before Christmas, ran into stiff resistance.
Israeli commandos, inserted by sea and by helicopter a little south of Beirut shortly before Christmas, ran into stiff resistance.
early December 1988
Added from the books
Heavy Amal-Hezbollah fighting resumes in the southern suburbs.
Neither Amal nor Hezbollah prevailed in a new round of heavy fighting in Beirut's suburbs, despite Syrian mediation; Syria and Iran secured a ceasefire only in early 1989.
Neither Amal nor Hezbollah prevailed in a new round of heavy fighting in Beirut's suburbs, despite Syrian mediation; Syria and Iran secured a ceasefire only in early 1989.
Sources differ: Picard dates the start of this round to 28 November 1988 and existing entry 1106 to 25 November. Hanf dates the ceasefire to spring 1989 and de Clerck to February 1989.