A History of Lebanon and Independence
Southern Lebanon has long been an area of turmoil. Originally created as a homeland for the Maronite Christians, war in the country of Lebanon has not been uncommon. In 1989, in an effort to end the civil wars of Lebanon, the National Reconciliation Accord was signed to enforce Lebanese control over Southern Lebanon and assert the Syrian occupation in that region. Even with conflicts today, history has proven Lebanon will continue to assert control over their own southern border in an effort to prevent control by Israel.
In 1989, Israel occupied southern Lebanon and Syrian occupation was conflicted. Through the National Reconciliation Accord and Taif Agreement, the occupation and withdrawal of both troops was to begin. However, because of the economic and political connection between Lebanon and Syria, these two countries outlined agreements which not only prevented occupation, declared Lebanon’s sovereignty over Southern Lebanon, outlined the military and intelligence systems in Lebanon and provided all Lebanonese residents with an opportunity to return their pre-civil war homes.
To this mix of political turmoil, Hezbollah was added. Once considered a militia style army, Hezbollah became a political force of strength in Lebanon. Backed by Iranian funds, Hezbollah provides Lebanon with added strength in not only a political aspect but also provides social and human services by providing hospitals, health care, food and community to many Lebanese individuals and families. By doing so, many citizens of Lebanon support the occupation of Hezbollah, as a militia, within the country and permitted proliferating growth and strength of Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. To the advantage of the Lebanese, Hezbollah provided an army of strength which prevented the occupation of Israeli troops into the Southern Lebanon region.
Muslin based, Hezbollah is a contrast to the original Maronite Christians for which Lebanon was originally sovereigned. Today, Lebanon no longer resembles the Christian bias it once did and, instead, is a strong mixture of Christian Majority, Large Sunni Muslim, Shi’a Muslim and even Druze Minorities. Because of this mixture, disputes over the welfare of Lebanon versus Hezbollah versus Israeli occupation are not new disputes for this region and will lead to continued turmoil for many years to come.
