A CIA map of neighborhoods in Beirut in 1986, which also shows the Green Line
Green Line, Beirut, 1982

The Green Line (Arabic: الخط الأخضر) was a line of demarcation in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990. It separated the mainly Muslim factions in predominantly Muslim West Beirut from the predominantly Christian East Beirut controlled by the Lebanese Front. However, as the Civil War continued, it also came to separate Sunni from Shia. At the beginning of the Civil War, the division was not absolute as some Muslims lived East of the Green Line and some Christians lived in West Beirut; but, as the Civil War continued, each sector became more homogeneous as minorities left the sector they were in. The appellation refers to the coloration of the foliage that grew because the space was uninhabited. While most commonly referred to as the "Green Line", it was also sometimes called the "Demarcation Line". It generally stretched from the North of Beirut to the South, and the primary street that followed the Green Line was Damascus Street. There was no formal line or continual security but it was common to see militia checkpoints that people crossing at particular points had to go through and snipers on top of buildings were common. Many of the buildings along the Green Line were severely damaged or destroyed during the war. Since the end of hostilities, however, many of the buildings have been rebuilt within the framework of the urban renewal project of Solidere in Centre Ville (Downtown).[1]

History

The Siege of West Beirut

The Green Line was a vulnerable point for both West and East Beirut. During Israel's siege of West Beirut, Israeli armed forces surrounded Western Beirut and stationed tanks along the Green Line.[2]

Syrian withdrawal

After the Syrian military withdrew from East Beirut in August 1982, the Palestine Liberation Army was dispatched to the Green Line under the command of the Syrians. The residents on both sides of the line disapproved of the presence of the Palestine Liberation Army.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Beirut has rebuilt before. Here's how the city will do it again". Travel. 2020-09-04. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  2. ↑ Friedman, Thomas L.; Times, Special To the New York (1982-08-04). "ISRAELIS SEND ARMORED FORCES INTO PARTS OF WESTERN BEIRUT; U.S. FEARS FOR HABIB'S MISSION (Published 1982)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  3. ↑ "Green Line in Beirut-The green foliage that marked the no man's land during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)". The Vintage News. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2021-02-15.

33°52′43″N 35°30′54″E / 33.8786°N 35.5151°E / 33.8786; 35.5151


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