Within the Maronite community, the Phalange Party leadership's attempt to achieve a "rapprochement" with Syria in 1985 led to the 'uprising' by the Lebanese Forces, led by Samir Geagea, on 12 March of that year (Sirriyeh, Hussein, 1989:18). The tension did not subside until early May 1985, when Geagea was demoted by the Phalange Party leadership and the pro-Syrian Elie Hobeika became leader of the Lebanese Forces (Ibid.). In mid-January 1986 a revolt was sparked among the Lebanese Forces against Hobeika because of his close relations with Syria (Ibid.). According to William Harris this led to Hobeika's overthrow and opened the door to the return to power of Geagea (1986:39-42; Keesing's, vol. 33, 1987:35021). Aillen McCabe reported that the Lebanese Forces militia was the main Christian militia when Geagea took power but under his stewardship it expanded to become almost the military government of Christian East Beirut (The Gazette, 8 February 1990).

In February of 1990 the Lebanese Forces militiamen captured an important army barracks in Amsheet, north of Beirut (The Globe and Mail, 3 February 1990). Army troops took control of Antelias suburb just north of Beirut, cutting the coastal highway that links Karantina (Lebanese Forces headquarters) with the militia's fiefdom in the northern Kesrouan district of the Christian enclave (The Globe and Mail, 3 February 1990:A7). Then a Lebanese Army brigade under Aoun's command directed their artillery fire on the headqarters of the Lebanese Forces in the suburb of Karantina (Ibid.). Aoun's soldiers gained more ground in the heart of the Christian East Beirut while the Lebanese Forces had the upper hand in the north of Beirut (The Globe and Mail, 3 February 1990:A7). But on 6 February Aoun's troops drove the Lebanese Forces from the strategic suburb of Dbayeh north of Beirut (The Globe and Mail, 7 February 1990:A8). Tank units also attacked the Lebanese Forces garrison of Kassardjian in the East Beirut district of Ein Rummaneh (Ibid.). The sea currently remains the only way for LF commanders to reach their headquarters north of Beirut after Aoun's army took control of all crossing points linking East Beirut to the North (The Globe and Mail, 26 April 1990:A16).

One of the main issues that has fuelled conflict between Aoun and Geagea is Geagea's loyalty to the Government of President Elias Hrawi, a Christian who supports Syria's role in keeping Lebanon's Muslim and Christian enemies apart (Ihsan Hijazi, The New-York Times, 9 April 1990).

The Middle East reported that after the current battles between the rival Maronite groups, the positions occupied by Geagea's forces represented 60% of the Christian enclave. Aoun's position is restricted to the presidential palace of Baabda and ajacent areas (July 1989:18). This source mention that Geagea is backed both by Israel and Iraq (Ibid.).

For further information please consult the attached bibliography.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Harris, William, "Lebanon: The Gathering Storm", Middle East, March 1986, pp. 39-42.

"Lebanon", Keesing's, vol. 33, March 1987.

Hijazi, Ihsan, "Lebanese Christians Ravaged, Now By Lebanese Christians", The New-York Times, 9 April 1990.

"Aoun's Rival, Geagea, Rose to Power on Bloody Trail", The Gazette, 8 February 1990.

"Beirut Rescuers Snatch Wounded During Lull in Savage Shelling", The Globe and Mail, 3 February 1990.

" 'Have Mercy on The People,' Warring Forces Begged in Beirut", The Globe and Mail, 3 February 1990.

"Aoun Continues Push Against Beirut Rival", The Globe and Mail, 7 February 1990.

"Fifteen Killed In Fighting Between Christian Rivals", The Globe and Mail, 26 April 1990.

"At Least They're Talking", The Middle East, no.189, July 1989:18.

Sirriyeh, Hussein, "Lebanon: Dimensions Of Conflict", Adelphi Papers, London: Published By Brassey's For The International Institute For Strategic Studies (IISS), 1989.