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]
A CIA map of neighborhoods in Beirut in 1986, which also shows the Green LineGreen Line, Beirut, 1982
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]
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]
ReferencesEdit
^"Beirut has rebuilt before. Here's how the city will do it again". Travel. 2020-09-04. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
^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.
^"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.
green, line, lebanon, green, line, arabic, الخط, الأخضر, line, demarcation, beirut, lebanon, during, lebanese, civil, from, 1975, 1990, separated, mainly, muslim, factions, predominantly, muslim, west, beirut, from, predominantly, christian, east, beirut, cont. 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 A CIA map of neighborhoods in Beirut in 1986 which also shows the Green LineGreen Line Beirut 1982 Contents 1 History 1 1 The Siege of West Beirut 1 2 Syrian withdrawal 2 References 3 External linksHistory EditThe Siege of West Beirut Edit Main article Siege of 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 Edit Main article Syrian occupation of Lebanon 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 Edit Beirut has rebuilt before Here s how the city will do it again Travel 2020 09 04 Retrieved 2021 02 15 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 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 External links EditThis article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations May 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Beirut Green Line 1975 1990 Green Line related photographs and academic papers Beirut video postcards33 52 43 N 35 30 54 E 33 8786 N 35 5151 E 33 8786 35 5151 nbsp This Lebanon location article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp This Middle Eastern history related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Green Line Lebanon amp oldid 1179488206, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
