Lebanese National Movement
The Lebanese National Movement (LNM; Arabic: الحركة الوطنية اللبنانية, Al-Harakat al-Wataniyya al-Lubnaniyya) was a front of Leftist, pan-Arabist and Syrian nationalist parties and organizations active during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War, which supported the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). It was headed by Kamal Jumblatt, a prominent Druze leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP). The Vice-President was Inaam Raad, leader of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and Assem Qanso of the pro-Syrian Lebanese Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. The general secretary of the LNM was Mohsen Ibrahim, leader of the Communist Action Organization in Lebanon (CAOL).
| Lebanese National Movement الحركة الوطنية اللبنانية | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Kamal Jumblatt Rashid Karami Walid Jumblatt George Hawi Mohsen Ibrahim |
| Dates of operation | 1969–1982 |
| Group(s) | Al-Mourabitoun Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) Syrian Social Nationalist Party in Lebanon (SSNP) Communist Action Organization in Lebanon (OCAL) Lebanese Movement in Support of Fatah (LMSF) Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Lebanon Region Revolutionary Communist Group Sixth of February Movement Socialist Arab Lebanon Vanguard Party (SALVP) Popular Nasserist Organization (PNO) Lebanese Arab Army (LAA) Other minor organizations |
| Active regions | Throughout Lebanon, especially in Palestinian refugee camps |
| Ideology | Communism Socialism Secularism Palestinian nationalism Arab nationalism non-sectarianism Multiconfessionalism Pan-Arabism Anti-Zionism |
| Size | 18,700 (1975) 46,900 (1976) (including allied PLO fighters) |
| Allies | Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
Iraq Libya Syria (until 1976) South Yemen Soviet Union |
| Opponents | Lebanese Front Lebanese Forces Army of Free Lebanon (AFL) South Lebanon Army (SLA) Israel Syria (after 1976) |
| Battles and wars | the Lebanese Civil War 1978 South Lebanon conflict |
The LNM was one of two main coalitions during the first rounds of fighting in the Lebanese Civil War, the other being the militias of the mainly Christian Lebanese Front, which comprised the nationalist Phalange, the National Liberal Party and others; as well as parts of the Maronite-dominated central government.