Organization of Lebanese Socialists
Encyclopedia
The Organization of Lebanese Socialists was a political organization in Lebanon
. The organization was led by Muhsin Ibrahim and Muhammed Kishli. It had its roots in the Lebanese branch of the Arab Nationalist Movement
(ANM), a radical pan-Arab
movement. During the 1960s Ibrahim was a leading figure in the leftist tendency with the ANM. This tendency, led by Naif Hawatmeh, argued that the ANM ought to adopt a Marxist
outlook. This was opposed by the top ANM leader George Habash
who, although being open to introducing Marxist concepts like imperialism
into the discourse of the ANM, wanted to retain the anti-Communist
character of the organization.
As the central leadership of ANM had shifted to Damascus
, the Lebanese branch began to function more autonomously. The official ANM organ al-Hurriya
('Freedom'), of which Ibrahim had become editor in 1960, became a de facto mouthpiece for the Marxist sector. In 1968 the Lebanese branch of ANM broke its links to the mother organization, and renamed itself as the Organization of Lebanese Socialists. The viewpoint of the Organization of Lebanese Socialists on the split were formulated in the pamphlet Limadha munadamat al-ishtrirakiin al-lubnaniin.
Around 1970 the Organization of Lebanese Socialists and Socialist Lebanon
merged to form the Communist Action Organization in Lebanon
.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. The organization was led by Muhsin Ibrahim and Muhammed Kishli. It had its roots in the Lebanese branch of the Arab Nationalist Movement
Arab Nationalist Movement
The Arab Nationalist Movement , also known as the Movement of Arab Nationalists and the Harakiyyin, was a pan-Arab nationalist organization influential in much of the Arab world, most famously so within the Palestinian movement.-Origins & Ideology:The Arab Nationalist Movement had its origins in a...
(ANM), a radical pan-Arab
Pan-Arabism
Pan-Arabism is an ideology espousing the unification--or, sometimes, close cooperation and solidarity against perceived enemies of the Arabs--of the countries of the Arab world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Sea. It is closely connected to Arab nationalism, which asserts that the Arabs...
movement. During the 1960s Ibrahim was a leading figure in the leftist tendency with the ANM. This tendency, led by Naif Hawatmeh, argued that the ANM ought to adopt a Marxist
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
outlook. This was opposed by the top ANM leader George Habash
George Habash
George Habash also known by his laqab "al-Hakim" was a Palestinian nationalist. Habash, a Palestinian Christian, founded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which pioneered the hijacking of airplanes as a Middle East militant tactic...
who, although being open to introducing Marxist concepts like imperialism
Imperialism
Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
into the discourse of the ANM, wanted to retain the anti-Communist
Anti-communism
Anti-communism is opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed in reaction to the rise of communism, especially after the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Cold War in 1947.-Objections to communist theory:...
character of the organization.
As the central leadership of ANM had shifted to Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, the Lebanese branch began to function more autonomously. The official ANM organ al-Hurriya
Al-Hurriya (DFLP)
Al-Hurriya , variously transcribed as al-Hourriya, al-Hurriyeh, etc) is a Palestinian political newspaper affiliated with the Marxist-Leninist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine...
('Freedom'), of which Ibrahim had become editor in 1960, became a de facto mouthpiece for the Marxist sector. In 1968 the Lebanese branch of ANM broke its links to the mother organization, and renamed itself as the Organization of Lebanese Socialists. The viewpoint of the Organization of Lebanese Socialists on the split were formulated in the pamphlet Limadha munadamat al-ishtrirakiin al-lubnaniin.
Around 1970 the Organization of Lebanese Socialists and Socialist Lebanon
Socialist Lebanon
Socialist Lebanon was a small Arab nationalist group in Lebanon. The group was formed in 1965 by people like Ahmed Beydoun, Waddah Sharara and Fawwaz Trabulsi....
merged to form the Communist Action Organization in Lebanon
Communist Action Organization in Lebanon
The Communist Action Organization in Lebanon is a Marxist-Leninist political party and former militia group in Lebanon.- Membership :The OACL was one of Lebanon's few multi-sectarian parties, with Christian, Muslim and Druze members, but its main base was among Shi'a Muslims. OACL played a major...
.