Kataeb Party - Chronology of Main Events

Chronology of Main Events

1. In 1943 the Kataeb played an instrumental role in attaining Lebanon’s first independence from the French mandate and co-envisaged the currently adopted Lebanese flag that was signed by the Lebanese government of the time.
2. In 1958 the Kataeb and its allies confronted the coup d’état by the United Arab Republic under the leadership of Gamal Abdel Nasser and succeeded in maintaining Lebanon’s independence and liberal identity.
3. In 1969 the Kataeb opposed the Cairo Agreement, which legitimized military operations against Israel by Palestinian militiamen in South Lebanon; prompting many at the time to refer to the South as “Fateh Land.”
4. In 1975 the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) attempted to take over Lebanon and turn it into what many perceived as an alternative state for Palestinian refugees that will facilitate their permanent settlement in the country. In light of this development that was coupled with the disintegration of state institutions on the political and security levels alike, the Kataeb (that was part of the Lebanese Resistance) found itself at the forefront of the battle for independence sacrificing through the lives of its members against this imposed reality.
5. From 1978 until 1990, the Kataeb and the Lebanese Resistance clashed in fierce battles with Syrian Forces who were occupying large territories of the country resulting in an ongoing death toll among Kataeb members.
6. In 1982 the leader of the Lebanese Resistance and president-elect Bachir Gemayel was assassinated when an explosion rocked the Kataeb headquarters in the Achrafieh area of Beirut. The architect of the blast was a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. In the aftermath of the assassination, Amin Gemayel, current president of the party, was elected President of the Lebanese Republic.
7. In 1990, the Lebanese War came to a close when Syrian Forces maintained their grip over the entire country leading to fifteen years of occupation during which President Amin Gemayel was exiled to France and the Kataeb Party fell under Syrian control.
8. In 2005, the Kataeb extensively participated in the Cedar Revolution, which saw a cross-communal revolt against Syrian occupation. MP Pierre Gemayel played a significant role in shaping this revolution which led to Lebanon’s second independence.
9. In 2006, the Kataeb Party suffered a tragic setback when gunmen assassinated Minister Pierre Gemayel by closely opening fire at his car.
10. In 2007, the Party was dealt yet another blow when MP Antoine Ghanem was assassinated in a car bomb explosion in the Sin el-Fil area of North Metn.