111101 - Facts - Chronology - Lebanese war

Lebanese war chronology - 1980

January 2, 1980 wednesday		The chief of the 'Iranian volunteers', Hodjatolislam Mohammed Montazeri, held a press conference in Beirut during which he reasserted his men's determination to go to South Lebanon to 'fight imperialism and Zionism.' And he added: 'We will come by thousands.'
January 18, 1980 friday		A Shiite hijacked an MEA Boeing 707. This airplane flying from Beirut to Larnaca had 72 passengers and 10 crewmembers onboard. The hijacker surrendered to the Lebanese authorities and claimed, in a press conference, the intensification of the efforts in order to find Imam Moussa Sadr. He also requested the positioning of the Lebanese army in South of Lebanon.
January 21, 1980 monday		The Lebanese army projected to deploy in South Lebanon while Israel was strongly opposed to this project.
January 22, 1980 tuesday		The Arab Strike Force withdrew from the road going South. This initiative surprised the authorities.
January 25, 1980 friday		Fights opposed the Phalange Party and the NLP in Ehmej and Annaya. The road leading to Jbeil was closed. An acute crisis erupted between the two parties.
January 30, 1980 wednesday		The situation worsened in Ehmej. Some sources reported 4 dead and 10 injured persons.
February 3, 1980 sunday		Arab Strike Force units stationed in Beirut projected to withdraw towards Aley in the next few days. The decision surprised the government and the chief of State presided a meeting to study how to fill the gap.
February 5, 1980 tuesday		Mgr Elias Audeh was elected the Greek Orthodox Metropolite of Beirut.
February 7, 1980 thursday		The most beautiful blue eyes in the world visited Lebanon. Alain Delon arrived at the Beirut International Airport and charmed the Lebanese.
February 7, 1980 thursday		Confrontations occurred between the Phalangists and the Zghortiotes in Knat, killing ten persons. Many fights opposing the two parties followed. Shells hit several villages in the cazas of Batroun, Koura, and Jbeil and over 10,000 civilians flew the combats. Finally, the Arab Strike Force entered Knat, and order was reestablished in the region on February 18.
February 9, 1980 satruday		Bahige Takieddine, Minister of Interior and Tourism, and deputy of the Chouf, died from a heart attack. The Presidency of the Republic ordered national funerals and three days of mourning. Bahige Takieddine was born in 1909 in Baakline in the Chouf. He studied at the French Lycée then went to the Law School at Saint Joseph University. He was minister several times since 1974.
February 13, 1980 wednesday		The Phalangist deputy from Jezzine, Edmond Risk was kidnapped, causing a rising tension in the region.
February 23, 1980 satruday		Criminal madness was unleashed in Lebanon. An odious assault was reported in the Sursock district. A car bomb killed 8 persons including Maya, Bechir Gemayel's 20 months old daughter, and injured 20 others. This explosion was aimed at the chief commander of the Lebanese Forces.
February 24, 1980 sunday		Selim Laouzi, owner of the Hawadess, a local newspaper, was kidnapped on the Beirut International Airport road. The kidnapping of this eminent figure of the Lebanese press provoked strong emotions in the political environment and the Editors Syndicate decided to call for a strike.
March 4, 1980 tuesday		The mutilated body of Selim Laouzi was found in the forests of Aramoun ten days after his kidnapping.
March 5, 1980 wednesday		In a message addressed to the Nation, the President of the Republic proclaimed the State's Arab and internal options. He rejected the Camp David agreements, and underlined the coordination between Lebanon and Syria wile respecting the sovereignty of both countries. Furthermore, he refused the idea of creating mini-states and reassured his attachment to freedom.
March 5, 1980 wednesday		Seven Zghortiotes were released in exchange of eleven Phalangists. The exchange of hostages took place after 5 months of detention.
March 6, 1980 thursday		Units from the Arab Strike Force positioned in the Sin el Fil- Dekouaneh-Mekalles region started to gather in order to withdraw towards Jamhour-Aley. The total withdrawal should be executed by Saturday night and the Lebanese army would replace the Syrian soldiers.
March 9, 1980 sunday		Edmond Rizk who had been kept hostage in Zghorta since February 13, was released.
March 12, 1980 wednesday		A car bomb exploded on the Dora-Nahr el Mott boulevard, a few seconds after the passage of Camille Chamouns' convoy.
March 12, 1980 wednesday		12 persons were killed due to the use of spoiled flower in the Akkar.
March 13, 1980 thursday		Fights opposed Amal to the Fateh, killing seven persons in the Ouzaï-Aramoun region. Leaders of the National Movement started to mediate between the two parties to end the dispute.
March 18, 1980 tuesday		The population protested in vain against the use of the Normandy bay in Beirut as a garbage dumping site.
March 22, 1980 satruday		Tanker owners suspended the delivery of fuel causing a gas shortage in Beirut. Strikers claimed the return of vehicles that had disappeared in Saida.
April 9, 1980 wednesday		The Council of Ministers raised the wages in the private sector by 29%. The ceiling of the raise was fixed at 625 Lebanese Pound, while the floor of the raise was fixed at 150 Lebanese pounds. The minimum salary increased therefore from 525 to 675 Lebanese Pounds.
April 10, 1980 thursday		Israelis settled in the UNIFL zone, but withdrew progressively in the following days. Beirut called upon the Security Council to convene urgently.
April 12, 1980 satruday		Saad Haddad militiamen attacked UNIFL soldiers. Bombings destroyed two United Nations helicopters in Nakoura.
April 15, 1980 tuesday		An important Shiite demonstration was organized in Ghobeire to protest against the disappearance of Imam Mohammed Baker el Sadr, arrested in Iraq. Armed elements fired on the cortege, killing one person and injuring 6 others.
April 16, 1980 wednesday		The conflict between Amal and the Iraqi Baas worsened. Violent fights raged in the Southern suburbs of Beirut claiming 40 victims. The Iraqi and the Iranian embassies were attacked. The Amal organization, founded by Imam Moussa Sadr who disappeared in 1978, accused the Iraqi agents of ignoring the cease-fire.
April 17, 1980 thursday		The relation between the Phalange Party and Syria softened after Syrian authorities released 16 Phalangist militants.
April 18, 1980 friday		The South was still bleeding. 18 persons were killed in an Israeli raid against Sarafand and Adloun.
April 18, 1980 friday		A car bomb exploded at Kabb Elias killing 9 persons and wounding 30 others.
April 22, 1980 tuesday		A car parked 50 meters away from the regional office of the Phalange Party in Jdeideh exploded injuring 5 persons.
April 24, 1980 thursday		The Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the Israeli military intervention in Lebanon and the de facto alliance between Israel and Saad Haddad's militia. Washington suggested the creation of a special commission in charge of finding a final settlement in South Lebanon.
May 2, 1980 friday		A high-ranking Shiite religious dignitary, Imam Hajje Hassan Chirazi was assassinated in Beirut, on the Ramlet el Bayda Corniche, onboard of a taxi.
May 8, 1980 thursday		A seaside resort called 'Bella Mar' collapsed while still under construction. Eight persons lost their lives in the accident.
May 15, 1980 thursday		Following artillery duels between the Lebanese Forces and the Syrian National Social Party in the Upper-Metn, an army buffer force deployed in the region.
May 19, 1980 monday		Snipers reappeared killing two persons on the Ring.
May 20, 1980 tuesday		In a verbal message transmitted through the US ambassador John Gunther Dean, President Elias Sarkis urged the US President Carter to stop Lebanon's agony.
May 23, 1980 friday		Shells fell on the center of Saida killing 4 persons and wounding 14 others.
May 23, 1980 friday		The Northern Lebanese front flared up again. Militiamen from the Marada launched an attack against the Phalangist positions. In the jurd of the Batroun region, five persons were killed and 20 others wounded.
May 27, 1980 tuesday		Violent confrontations burst between Shiite militiamen from Amal and a coalition including the Communist Party and the Resistance. The confrontations lasted three days, claiming a big number of victims. The Arab Strike Force mediated between the belligerent parties. A normalization and demilitarization agreement was signed in Damascus with the participation of the PLO.
May 28, 1980 wednesday		200 persons were poisoned in Tyr after drinking polluted water.
May 31, 1980 satruday		The Lebanese championship of athletics was held for the first time since 1975.
June 3, 1980 tuesday		Violent combats were reported in Saida. Soldiers from the Lebanese Army clashed with armed elements from the Resistance, acting under the name of officer Ahmed Khatib's Army of Arab Lebanon. The confrontation started by an ambush in Remeile against a military convoy. The town of Saida observed a strike in protest against these incidents.
June 6, 1980 friday		Selim el Hoss resigned from office. President Sarkis accepted his resignation on June 16.
June 13, 1980 friday		The European Community called upon all parties in her meeting in Venice, inviting them to end all actions that might harm Lebanon's independence and sovereignty.
June 15, 1980 sunday		Violent confrontations between the Army of Arab Lebanon and Amal were reported in the Bekaa region. The Arab Strike Force evacuated Ahmed Khatib, who was isolated in Nabi Chit.
June 17, 1980 tuesday		While the UNIFL mandate was extended for another 6 months, a car bomb exploded in Raouche killing one person and wounding 35 others.
June 19, 1980 thursday		The first official exams since the beginning of the war were held as usual. We are far from the excessive cheating reported last year. However, the Minister of National Education had to cancel the Baccalaureate exams in South Lebanon because of the chaotic atmosphere that was prevailing.
June 30, 1980 monday		The Israelis attacked a base belonging to the Arab Liberation Front in Kasmieh. This operation killed 11 persons and injured 29 others.
July 1, 1980 tuesday		Julio, who sold 75,000,000 discs around the world, performed in Lebanon.
July 4, 1980 friday		Artillery duels and armed confrontations continued between the Phalange Party and the NLP in the regions of Wadi-Chahrour, Betchay, Bsous,Kfarchima, and their surroundings. 16 persons were killed and 20 others wounded. The next day, the Lebanese army took in charge the areas of Wadi-Chahrour, Betchay, Bsous, Kfarchima, Bsaba, and Bleibel in the Southern-Metn, ending the conflict between the Phalange Party and the NLP in the region.
July 6, 1980 sunday		Violent confrontations opposed in Ain Mreisse the Mourabitoun and the Arab Socialist Union. 3 persons died and 16 others were wounded.
July 8, 1980 tuesday		Phalangist militiamen launched an assault against all the NLP's offices and barracks in Achrafieh, on the coast, in Jbeil, in the Kesrouan, and in the Metn. The most murderous combats took place in Acharfieh, Amchit, and especially Safra where the domicile of the NLP defense secretary, Dany Chamoun, was burned. Chamoun's daughter was injured. He flew to Fakra and announced his resignation. The Phalangists continued their attack and reached Fakra where they dynamited Chamoun's home. He flew again to Baskinta. He went back later to Yarze on board of an army helicopter, along with Amine Gemayel. The Phalange Party controlled therefore all NLP's offices and barracks.
July 9, 1980 wednesday		The employees of the civil aviation launched an open strike at the Beirut International Airport.
July 11, 1980 friday		In order to reach an agreement with the Phalange Party, Camille Chamoun requested the restitution of the NLP's posts and armaments as well as the return to the Status Quo. Dany Chamoun visited President Sleiman Frangieh.
July 12, 1980 satruday		Civil airplanes were diverted to Rayak because of the strike that hit the Beirut International Airport. But traffic at the airport resumed on the following day.
July 13, 1980 sunday		A bomb exploded in a movie theater at Mazraa killing 5 persons and injuring 18.
July 20, 1980 sunday		Takieddine Solh was asked, by the President of the Republic, to form a new Government of National Union.
July 21, 1980 monday		Charles Rizk, President of Télé-Liban's Board of Directors, was kidnapped from his home. He was released a few hours later. He presented immediately his resignation to the President of the Republic. The employees at Télé-Liban responded by launching an open strike.
July 23, 1980 wednesday		Riad Taha, a 53 years old well known journalist, and President of the Press Syndicate for 13 years, was cowardly shot at Chourane by professional killers who opened fire on his car; 7 bullets hit him. The Press Syndicate claimed damages for a criminal act.
July 26, 1980 satruday		Violent combats burst in the Bekaa region between Amal and LFA killing 11 persons and injuring 15 others.
July 30, 1980 wednesday		The nightmare continued. A car bomb exploded in a busy street of Achrafieh killing three persons and wounding 15 others.
August 5, 1980 tuesday		A Shiite Ulema, Sheikh Ali Badreddine, was found dead in the region of Zahrani.
August 7, 1980 thursday		Car bombs continued in Lebanon in a cortege of horror. A car bomb exploded in Achrafieh, Sassine square, killing one person and injuring 30 others. The population developed a real phobia and was haunted by these cars that spread death.
August 9, 1980 satruday		President Takieddine Solh announced that he will suspend his efforts to form a new Cabinet. 'It is still not possible to put together a government of active forces,' he said.
August 13, 1980 wednesday		President Sarkis rejected, in front of Gaston Thor, the President of the Council of Ministers of the EEC, the settlement of the Palestinians in Lebanon as part of the global settlement of the Middle East problem.
August 19, 1980 tuesday		An Israeli raid targeted the region of Arnoun. Violent confrontations opposed Palestinian Progressive 'common forces' and 60 Israeli soldiers backed by helicopters. The 'common forces' reported 25 dead and 30 injured, while Israelis reported 20 victims. The next day, a double Israeli raid targeted Nabatyeh.
August 23, 1980 satruday		Heavy armament combats were signaled in Tripoli between local militias, causing 16 deaths and 40 injuries.
August 24, 1980 sunday		5 persons were killed and 35 others wounded by a car bomb explosion in front of a coffee shop in Reyfoun.
August 24, 1980 sunday		An air combat took place over South Lebanon between Syrian Migs and Israeli airplanes. A Syrian plane crashed next to Jbaa.
August 26, 1980 tuesday		Sheikh Abdel Amir Kabalan, the nephew of the Mufti Jaafari, was killed next to the Unesco.
August 27, 1980 wednesday		The US ambassador, John Gunther Dean, escaped from a killing attempt in Hazmieh. Killers shot his armored car.
September 26, 1980 friday		An assault was launched against the US embassy in West Beirut. Two missiles were fired on the chancellery hitting the second and fourth floors. The aggressors remained unidentified.
October 5, 1980 sunday		While the war was raging between Iraq and Iran, assaults continued against several embassies in Beirut. After the US, the Iraqi, and the Iranian chancelleries, a load of dynamite was thrown on the Saudi embassy in Bliss Street at Ras-Beirut.
October 8, 1980 wednesday		Terrorist actions were on the rise. Explosions ravaged the 'Alia' offices and the apartment of the Swiss ambassador.
October 10, 1980 friday		A rocket was fired on the US embassy, but the projectile fell on an adjacent building without making any victim.
October 11, 1980 satruday		Dalida made a triumph at the Summerland.
October 17, 1980 friday		Israel perpetrated a new aggression against a Fedayeen base in the central area of South Lebanon. At the same time, confrontations between the Phalange Party and the NLP were reported in Zahle. A car bomb exploded in the airport of the BIA, injuring 6 persons.
October 22, 1980 wednesday		Chafic Wazzan was asked to form a new government, while Israel launched an air strike againt Damour. The aerial Traffic at the Beirut International Airport was interrupted.
October 23, 1980 thursday		A dialog government was formed. The new team included 22 Ministers of which 5 were State Ministers. Chafic Wazzan: Prime Minister, Minister of Interior Fouad Boutros: Vice-President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Joseph Skaff: Minister of Defense Nazih Bizri: Minister of Health Khatchig Babikian: Minister of Health Rene Moawad : Minister of National Education and Fine Arts Khaled Joumblatt: Minister of Economy and Commerce Joseph Aboukhater: Minister of State Michel Murr: Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Anouar Sabbah: Minister of Hydraulic and Electric Resources Ali El Khalil: Minister of Finance Mahmoud Ammar: Minister of State Elias Hraoui: Minister of Public Works and Transports Mounir Aboufadel: Minister of State Mohammed Youssef Beydoun: Minister of Industry and Oil Cesar Nasr : Minister of State Sami Younes: Minister of State Selim Jahel : Minister of Housing and Cooperatives Abdel Rahman Labban: Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mostapha Dernayka: Minister of Agriculture Marwan Hamade : Minister of Tourism
October 27, 1980 monday		The Phalange Party and the NLP fought in Ain el Remmaneh. Camille Chamoun threatened to withdraw from the Lebanese Front.
October 31, 1980 friday		The Lebanese army evacuated Ain el Remmaneh and gathered on the Damascus road and on major Streets.
November 1, 1980 satruday		The Safir press was dynamited in Hamra. Ain el Remmaneh recovered its calm. The cease-fire concluded between the army and the Lebanese Forces was fully respected. Nevertheless, a profound discomfort persisted in the country at higher levels because the tension persisted, and the Army lost some of its credibility due to its withdrawal.
November 1, 1980 satruday		Over 2000 persons watched the Marlboro Rally Mountain 1980.
November 5, 1980 wednesday		After Bechir Obeid and Kamal Kheir Beik, two leaders from the Social National Syrian Party, were killed in West Beirut, as well as a civilian called Mounir Fatha, bloody confrontations opposed the Mourabitoun to the SNSP.
November 7, 1980 friday		An agreement was reached between Camille Chamoun and Pierre Gemayel to unify the Lebanese Forces.
November 9, 1980 sunday		Three young men from Hammana were killed in awful conditions. Their bodies were found in a well in the Chouf.
November 10, 1980 monday		A double assault spread terror in Achrafieh. Two car bombs stuffed with 140 kg of TNT exploded and killed 10 persons and injured 70 others. The first explosion occurred at a busy hour, when school busses were taking students back home, in one of Achrafieh’s streets. The second car blew up twenty minutes later, on Elias Baaklini street, next to the Shell gas station. The second explosion was aiming to kill those who would rush on the street after the first one went off.
November 17, 1980 monday		Prime Minister, Chafic Wazzan announced that sanctions will be taken against militaries and officers responsible for the Army's passive attitude during the Ain el Remmaneh incidents.
November 23, 1980 sunday		The short movie made by the Lebanese Randa Chahal, Autrefois, won the special prize of the Seventh Carthage Cinematographic Days.
December 3, 1980 wednesday		The government held its first meeting on October 25. Despite the opposition of the Amal movement, the four Shiite ministers attended the meeting.
December 3, 1980 wednesday		A murderous Israeli raid was perpetrated between Damour and Saadyat. A Lebanese memorandum presented to the UN reported 15 deaths and 13 injuries.
December 21, 1980 sunday		The situation worsened in Zahleh under heavy bombardments. These confrontations between Zahliotes and soldiers from the Arab Strike Force continued until December 26 when a cease-fire eased the tension.
December 31, 1980 wednesday		A Syrian-Israeli air fight took place in the Lebanese sky. Damascus admited that its two Migs were hit and that two Israeli airplanes were shot down. Tel-Aviv denied this information.

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