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| | Lebanon Operation Litani - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International ... |
 | | Because it was skeptical about the willingness and capability of the Lebanese Army to implement the Shtawrah Accord by displacing the PLO in southern Lebanon and securing the border area, in 1977 Israel started to equip and fund a renegade Christian remnant of the Lebanese Army led by Major Saad Haddad. |
 | | Haddad's force, which became known as The Free Lebanon Army, and later as the South Lebanon Army (SLA), grew to a strength of about 3,000 men and was allied closely with Israel. |
 | | Haddad eventually proclaimed the enclave he controlled "Free Lebanon." The insulation provided by this buffer area permitted Israel to open up its border with Lebanon. |
| www.photius.com /countries/lebanon/national_security/lebanon_national_security_operation_litani.html (291 words) |
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