BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 30, 1983 (UPI) -- Here are some questions and answers about the U.S. Marine peace-keeping role in Lebanon: Question: When did the Marines go to Lebanon?
Answer: A Marine Amphibious Unit went ashore at the port of Beirut on the morning of Aug. 25, 1982, originally on a 30-day mission. Right now, there are 1,500 troops ashore and another 600 on 6th Fleet ships in the Mediterranean.
Q: Why did the United States send troops ashore in the first place?
A: President Reagan sent in the Marines to supervise the withdrawal of Palestine Liberation Organization guerrillas in west Beirut.
Q: Why were the PLO guerrillas withdrawing?
A: West Beirut was under a siege of bombing and shelling for much of the summer as the Israeli invasion forces sought to defeat the PLO. U.S. negotiator Philip Habib arranged for a withdrawal to spare further bloodshed, and the agreement called for a multinational peacekeeping force to oversee the pullout.
Q: What did the Marines accomplish?
A: The U.S. troops and the other multinational forces provided support to the Lebanese army and security for the citizens of west Beirut as the departure of the PLO guerrillas left a power vacuum.
Q: Why didn't the Marines leave after the PLO evacuated?
A: They did, on Sept. 11, without staying for the full 30 days. The withdrawal took place despite Lebanese and Palestinian concern that Israeli forces would enter west Beirut, a Moslem district, in search of guerrillas and arms caches.
Q: What happened next?
A: President-elect Beshir Gemayel was assassinated in mid-September, which prompted the Israeli forces to move forward into west Beirut. While the Israelis controlled the area, rightist militiamen massacred Palestinians in the Sabra and Chatila refugee camps.
Q: How did this affect the Marines?
A: The United States sent the Marines back into Beirut to help restore order and provide support for the Lebanese army, giving a chance to the newly elected Christian-led government of Amin Gemayel, Beshir's brother.
Q: How long were U.S. forces supposed to stay?
A: No firm time limit was originally set. U.S. officials thought the Marines could withdraw in the summer of 1983.
Q: So why didn't they leave?
A: Rather than growing more stable, Lebanon became engulfed in a renewal of bloody civil war. The United States said it was vital the Marines remain to support the Lebanese government and army as the means of restoring stability in the long run.
Q: How are the Marines providing the means to stability?
A: It is commonly believed that if the Marines pulled out, the government would collapse. This could lead to a major civil war between the Christians and various Moslem factions. During the latest outbreak of warfare, the Marines held important turf and also the Lebanese army was aided by a direct offensive by U.S. 6th Fleet gunships against anti-government forces.
Q: Given the current crisis, then, how long will the Marines be in Lebanon?
A: It will depend on the circumstances, but Congress has authorized the White House to keep the Marines ashore until March 1985.
