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Plan for the Departure from Lebanon of the PLO Leadership, Offices, and Combatants in Beirut
DEPARTURE PLAN
Plan for the Departure from Lebanon of
the PLO Leadership, Offices, and Combatants in Beirut
20 August 1982
1. Basic Concept. All the PLO leadership, offices, and combatants in Beirut will leave Lebanon peacefully for pre-arranged destinations in other countries, in accord with the departure schedules and arrangements set out in this plan. The basic concept in this plan is consistent with the objective of the Government of Lebanon that all foreign military forces withdraw from Lebanon.
2. Cease-fire. A cease-fire in place will be scrupulously observed by all in Lebanon.
3. U.N. Observers. The U.N. Observer Group stationed in the Beirut area will continue its functioning in that area.
4. Safeguards. Military forces present in Lebanon — whether Lebanese, Israeli, Syrian, Palestinian, or any other — will in no way interfere with the safe, secure, and timely departure of the PLO leadership, offices, and combatants. Law-abiding Palestinian noncombatants left behind in Beirut, including the families of those who have departed, will be subject to Lebanese laws and regulations. The Governments of Lebanon and the United States will provide appropriate guarantees of safety in the following ways.
• The Lebanese Government will provide its guarantees on the basis of having secured assurances from armed groups with which it has been in touch.
• The United States will provide its guarantees on the basis of assurances received from the Government of Israel and from the leadership of certain Lebanese groups with which it has been in touch.
5. “Departure Day” is defined as the day on which advance elements of the multinational force (MNF) deploy in the Beirut area, in accordance with arrangements worked out in advance among all concerned, and on which the initial group or groups of PLO personnel commence departure from Beirut in accord with the planned schedule (see page 9).
6. The Multinational Force. A temporary multinational force, composed of units from France, Italy, and the United States, will have been formed—at the request of the Lebanese Government—to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in carrying out their responsibilities in this operation. The Lebanese Armed Forces will assure the departure from Lebanon of the PLO leadership, offices, and combatants, from whatever organization in Beirut, in a manner which will:
(A) Assure the safety of such departing PLO personnel;
(B) Assure the safety of other persons in the Beirut area; and
(C) Further the restoration of the sovereignty and authority of the Government of Lebanon over the Beirut area.
7. Schedule of Departures and Other Arrangements. The attached schedule of departures is subject to revision as may be necessary because of logistical requirements and because of any necessary shift in the setting of Departure Day. Details concerning the schedule will be forwarded to the Israeli Defense Forces through the Liaison and Coordination Committee. Places of assembly for the departing personnel will be identified by agreement between the Government of Lebanon and the PLO. The PLO will be in touch with governments receiving personnel to coordinate arrival and other arrangements there. If assistance is required the PI should notify the Government of Lebanon.
8. MNF Mandate. In the event tli the departure from Lebanon of the P personnel referred to above does not take place in accord with the agreed predetermined schedule, the mandate the MNF will terminate immediately all MNF personnel will leave Lebanol forthwith.
9. Duration of MNF. It will be mutually agreed between the Lebanese Government and the governments contributing forces to the MNF that the forces of the MNF will depart Lebanon not later than 30 days after arrival, or sooner at the request of the Government of Lebanon or at the direction of the individual government concerned, or in accord with the termination of the mandate of the MNF provided for above
10. The PLO leadership will be responsible for the organization and management of the assembly and the final departure of PLO personnel, from beginning to end, at which time the leaders also will all be gone. Departure arrangements will be coordinated so departures from Beirut take place at steady pace, day by day.
11. Lebanese Armed Forces Contribution. The Lebanese Army will contribute between seven and eight army battalions to the operation, consisting between 2,500-3,500 men. In addition the internal security force will con- tribute men and assistance as needed.
12. ICRC. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be able to assist the Government of Lebanon and Lebanese Armed Forces in various ways, including in the organization and management of the evacuation of wounded and ill Palestinian and Syrian personnel to appropriate destinations, and in assisting in the charter and movement of commercial vessel use in departure by sea to other countries. The Liaison and Coordination Committee will insure that there be proper coordination with any ICRC activities in this respect.
13. Departure by Air. While present plans call for departure by sea and land, departures by air are not foreclosed.
14. Liaison and Coordination:
• The Lebanese Armed Forces will be the primary point of contact for liaison with the PLO as well as with other armed groups and will provide necessary information.
• The Lebanese Armed Forces and MNF will have formed prior to Departure Day a Liaison and Coordination Committee, composed of representatives of the MNF participating governments and the Lebanese Armed Forces. The committee will carry out close and effective liaison with, and provide continuous and detailed information to, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). On behalf of the committee, the Lebanese Armed Forces will continue to carry out close and effective liaison with the PLO and other armed groups in the Beirut area. For convenience, the Liaison and Coordination Committee will have two essential components:
(A) Supervisory liaison; and
(B) Military and technical liaison and coordination.
The Liaison and Coordination Committee will act collectively; however, it may designate one or more of its members for primary liaison contact who would of course act on behalf of all.
• Liaison arrangements and consultations will be conducted in such a way as to minimize misunderstandings and to forestall difficulties. Appropriate means of communications between the Committee and other groups will be developed for this purpose.
• The Liaison and Coordination Committee will continually monitor and keep all concerned currently informed regarding the implementation of the plan, including any revisions to the departure schedule as may be necessary because of logistical requirements.
15. Duration of Departure. The departure period shall be as short as possible and, in any event, no longer than 2 weeks.
16. Transit Through Lebanon. As part of any departure arrangement, all movements of convoys carrying PLO personnel must be conducted in daylight hours. When moving overland from Beirut to Syria, the convoys should cross the border into Syria with no stops en route;. In those instances when convoys of departing PLO personnel pass through positions of the Israeli Defense Forces, whether in the Beirut area or elsewhere in Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces will clear the route for the temporary period in which the convoy is running. Similar steps will be taken by other armed groups located in the area of the route the convoy will take.
17. Arms Carried by PLO Personnel. On their departure, PLO personnel will be allowed to carry with them one individual side weapon (pistol, rifle, or submachine gun) and ammunition.
18 Heavy and Spare Weaponry and Ammunitions. The PLO will turn over to the Lebanese Armed Forces as gifts all remaining weaponry in their possession, including heavy, crew-served, and spare weaponry and equipment, along with all munitions left behind in the Beirut area. The Lebanese Armed Forces may seek the assistance of elements of the MNF in securing and disposing of the military equipment. The PLO will assist the Lebanese Armed Forces by providing, prior to their departure, full and detailed information as to the location of this military equipment.
19. Mines and Booby Traps. The PLO and the Arab Deterrent Force (ADF) will provide to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the MNF (through the Lebanese Armed Forces) full and detailed information on the location of mines and booby traps.
20. Movement of PLO Leadership. Arrangements will be made so that departing PLO personnel will be accompanied by a proportionate share of the military and political leadership throughout all stages of the departure operation.
21. Turnover of Prisoners and Remains. The PLO will, through the ICRC, turn over to the Israeli Defense Forces, all Israeli nationals whom they have taken in custody, and the remains, or full and detailed information about the location of the remains, of all Israeli soldiers who have fallen. The PLO will also turn over to the Lebanese Armed Forces all other prisoners whom they have taken in custody and the remains, or full and detailed information about the location of the remains, of all other soldiers who have fallen. All arrangements for such turnovers shall be worked out with the ICRC as required prior to Departure Day.
22. Syrian Military Forces. It is noted that arrangements have been made between the Governments of Lebanon and Syria for the deployment of all military personnel of the Arab Deterrent Force from Beirut during the departure period. These forces will be allowed to take their equipment with them, except for that— under mutual agreement between the two governments—which is turned over to the Lebanese Armed Forces. All elements of the Palestinian Liberation Army, whether or not they now or in the past have been attached to the Arab Deterrent Force, will withdraw from Lebanon.
Schedule of Departures
August 21, 1982— Departure Day
The advance elements of the MNF (approximately 350 men) land at the port of Beirut at about 0500 and deploy in the Beirut port area in preparation for the initial departures of PLO groups by sea.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed forces deploy to previously agreed positions in the Beirut area, primarily in the so-called demarcation line area, to assist in the departure of PLO personnel. The Lebanese Armed Forces will take over positions occupied by the PLO.
The PLO will insure that National Movement Forces [collection of Lebanese militias] which had occupied those positions jointly with the PLO will also withdraw.
As the day proceeds, the Lebanese Armed Forces will take up such other positions as necessary to assist in the departure of PLO personnel.
Meanwhile, the initial group of PLO personnel assemble in preparation for departure by sea later in the day (or on August 22). The vessel or vessels to be hired for this purpose will arrive at pier on August 21.
The initial groups could include the wounded and ill, who would be transported in accordance with agreed arrangements— by sea or land, or both— to their destinations in other countries.
The initial group or groups of PLO personnel destined for Jordan and Iraq should move from their assembly point to the waiting commercial vessel or vessels for onward transport by sea.
August 22
All groups destined for Jordan or Iraq will have boarded ship and will have sailed from Beirut.
Duplicating the model followed on August 21, PLO groups destined for Tunisia assemble and move to the Port of Beirut for departure by sea.
August 23
All PLO personnel destined for Tunisia complete their assembly and embark on commercial vessel for Tunisia.
PLO personnel destined for South Yemen assemble and move to a vessel for departure then or on August 24.
August 24-25
Assembly and departure by sea of PLO personnel destined for North Yemen.
August 25
Provided that satisfactory logistical arrangements have been completed, the initial groups of PLO personnel destined for Syria assemble and move overland via the Beirut-Damascus highway to Syria.
The advance French elements of the MNF already in the port area will have taken up such other agreed positions on the land route in the Beirut area as necessary to assist in the overland departure of the PLO personnel for Syria.
The Lebanese Armed Forces join with the French in occupying such positions.
(If it should be agreed that these initial groups should go by sea to Syria rather than by land, this departure schedule also is subject to amendment to assure that logistical requirements are met.)
August 26-28 (Approximately)
The remaining forces of the MNF (from the United States, France, and Italy) arrive in the Beirut area and deploy to agreed locations as determined through the Liaison and Coordinating Committee. This movement may be accompanied by the transfer of the advance French elements previously in the port area and elsewhere to other locations in the Beirut area.
August 26-27-28
PLO groups destined for Syria continue to move— by land or sea— to Syria.
August 22-September 4
Turnover to the Lebanese Armed Forces of PLO weaponry, military equipment, and ammunition in a continuing and orderly fashion.
August 29-30-31
Redeployment out of Beirut of the Syrian elements of the ADF.
September 1-4
Completion of the departure to Syria — by land or sea — of all PLO or Palestine Liberation Army personnel destined for Syria.
September 2-3
Assembly and departure by sea of all PLO personnel destined for the Sudan.
Assembly and movement by sea of all PLO personnel destined for Algeria.
September 4-21
The MNF assists the Lebanese Armed Forces in arrangements, as may be agreed between governments concerned, to insure good and lasting security throughout the area of operation.
September 21-26
Departure of MNF.
Lebanese Note Requesting U.S. Contribution to MNF
Beirut
August the 18th, 1982
Ambassador Robert S. Dillon U.S. Embassy, Beirut
Your Excellency,
I have the honor to refer to the many conversations between their Excellencies the President of the Republic of Lebanon, the Prime Minister and myself on the one hand, and with Ambassador Philip C. Habib, Special Emissary to the President of the United States of America, on the other hand, as well as to the resolution of the Council of Ministers passed today. I have the honor to refer to the schedule set up by the Government of Lebanon, after consultations with interested parties, in order to assure the withdrawal from Lebanese territory of the Palestinian leaders, offices and combatants related to any organization now in the Beirut area, in a manner which will:
(1) assure the safety of such departing persons;
(2) assure the safety of the persons in the area; and
(3) further the restoration of the sovereignty and authority of the Government of Lebanon over the Beirut area.
In this context, the Government of Lebanon is proposing to several nations that they contribute forces to serve as a temporary Multinational Force (MNF) in Beirut. The mandate of the MNF will be to provide appropriate assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they carry out the foregoing responsibilities, in accordance with the annexed schedule. The MNF may under- take other functions only by mutual agreement. It is understood that, in the event that the withdrawal of the Palestinian personnel referred to above does not take place in ac- cord with the predetermined schedule, the mandate of the MNF will terminate immediately and all MNF personnel will leave Lebanon forthwith.
In the foregoing context, I have the honor to propose that the United States of America deploy a force of approximately 800 personnel to Beirut, subject to the following terms and conditions:
Exchange of Notes
• The American military force shall carry out appropriate activities consistent with the mandate of the MNF.
• Command authority over the American force will be exercised exclusively by the United States Government through existing American military channels.
• The American force will operate in close coordination with the LAF. To assure effective coordination with the LAF, the American force will assign liaison officers to the LAF and the Government of Lebanon will assign liaison officers to the American force. The LAF liaison officers to the American force will, inter alia, perform liaison with the civilian population and manifest the authority of the Lebanese Government in all appropriate situations.
• In carrying out its mission, the American force will not engage in combat. It may, however, exercise the right of self- defense.
• The American force will depart Lebanon not later than thirty days after its arrival, or sooner at the request of the President of Lebanon or at the direction of the United States Government, or according to the termination of the mandate provided for above.
• The Government of Lebanon and the LAF will take all measures necessary to en- sure the protection of the American force's personnel, to include securing the assurances from all armed elements not now under the authority of the Lebanese Government that they will comply with the cease-fire and cessation of hostilities.
• The American force will enjoy both the degree of freedom of movement and the right to undertake those activities deemed necessary for the performance of its mission or for the support of its personnel. Accordingly, it shall enjoy all facilities necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes. Personnel in the American force shall enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded the administrative and technical staff of the American Embassy in Beirut, and shall be exempt from immigration and customs requirements, and restrictions on entering or departing Lebanon. Personnel, property and equipment of the American force introduced into Lebanon shall be exempt from any form of tax, duty, charge or levy.
I have the further honor to propose, if the foregoing is acceptable to your Excellency's government, that your Excellency's reply to that effect, together with this note, shall constitute an agreement between our two governments, to enter into force on the date of your Excellency's reply.
Please accept, your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Fuad Boutros
Deputy Prime Minister/
Minister of Foreign Affairs
U.S. Reply to Lebanese Note Requesting U.S. Contribution to MNF
August 20, 1982
I have the honor to refer to your Excellency’s note of 18 August 1982 requesting the deployment of an American force to Beirut. l am pleased to inform you on behalf of my government that the United States is prepared to deploy temporarily a force of approximately 800 personnel as part of a Multinational Force (MNF) to provide appropriate assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they carry out their responsibilities concerning the withdrawal of Palestinian personnel in Beirut from Lebanese territory under safe and orderly conditions, in accordance with the schedule annexed to your Excellency's note. It is understood that the presence of such an American force will in this way facilitate the restoration of Lebanese Government sovereignty and authority over the Beirut area, an objective which is fully shared by my government.
I have the further honor to inform you that my government accepts the terms and conditions concerning the presence of the American force in the Beirut area as set forth in your note, and that your Excellency’s note and this reply accordingly constitute an agreement between our two governments.
Robert S. Dillon
Ambassador of the
United States of America
Sources: Journal of Palestine Studies, vol XI, n° 4, vol XII, n° 1, Issue 44/45.
Or: at https://archive.org/