Lebanon

Once part of the Ottoman Empire, the Lebanese Republic was created as a French territory in 1926. The country gained independence, however, during the Second World War, when France was still occupied by Nazi Germany. Lebanon supported the Arab nations during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and provided a safe haven for irregular forces moving in and out of Israel, including over 100,000 Palestinian refugees.

Lebanon was wracked by civil war between 1975 and 1990, during which time much of the country was broken into regions or districts controlled and independently governed by numerous warring factions, which were volatile and often politically inconstant. The major factions during this period included the Lebanese Front (الجبهة اللبنانية), South Lebanon Army (supported by Israel), various factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO, منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية), the Amal Movement (أفواج المقاومة اللبنانية - supported by Syria) and Hezbollah (حزب الله - supported by Iran). Both Israel and Syria were also drawn into the Lebanese Civil War, as well as the United Nations.

With so many differing factions and sources of support during the 15 years of civil war, the variety of military equipment and uniforms were naturally staggering. Yet many units and groups did become associated with certain symbols, insignia, and even modes of dress, including the wearing of certain camouflage patterns. These we have documented to the best of our ability, given the likelihood that such a task will always have missing pieces.

Since the end of the Civil War, the Republic of Lebanon (اَلْجُمْهُورِيَّة اَللُّبْنَانِيَّة) has largely remained stable, with a solid Armed Forces of over 72,000 personnel, including ground, air and naval elements. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) of today include not only a full complement of conventional units, but a number of special operations forces as well, including paratroopers, commandos, navy special operations and special counter-terrorism units.

The LAF have been influenced by a number of nations in developing their own national camouflage designs, including the USA, United Kingdom, Syria, and Pakistan.

Lebanese Camouflage Patterns

• Used by Lebanese police/gendarmes ("Darak")