LEBANESE ARMY FACT SHEET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001800230012-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2007
• Sequence Number: 12
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2007/05101 :CIA-RDP84B00049R001800230012-0
SECRET
Lebanese Army Fact Sheet
o The Army has traditionally been dominated by Maronite Christians.
During the 1975-76 civil war it split into Christian and Muslim
sections.
? Efforts to give the army a more equal confession balance have been only
partially successful since 1977. In 1980 Muslims comprised 58% of the
Lebanese Armed Forces -- roughly equal to their national standing --
but Christians constituted 55% of the officers. Moreover units in
Christian areas tend to be Christian dominated while the same is true
in Muslim areas.
? Moreover, Christian units in Phalangist areas have long tended to be
closely aligned with the Phalange. Some fought on its side against
Syria in 1978.
o The army has 22,000 men, about 15,000 in combat units including 18
infantry, 5 armor, 5 artillery and 1 air defense battalion. The 1300
man Air Force has only a few operational Hawker Hunter jets and about
32 helicopters.