Report 19820929A
Date
September 29, 1982
Administration
Ronald Reagan (First Term)Location
LebanonWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
No, as stated in report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
Yes, stated or used terms in statute
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Joint/Coalition Mission
Yes
Details: "close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well as with comparably sized French and Italian military contingents in the Multinational Force"
Article 51 Report to UN
Not applicable because no self-defense claim
Purpose/Mission
Advise/AssistDetails: "contribute forces to serve as a temporary Multinational Force...[to] facilitate the restoration of Lebanese Government sovereignty and authority, and thereby further the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to assure the safety of persons in the area and bring to an end the violence which has tragically recurred."
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "This deployment of the United States Armed Forces is being undertaken pursuant to the President's constitutional authority with respect to the conduct of foreign relations and as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces."
Claimed International Legal Basis
Consent of territorial stateDetails: U.S. force "are in Lebanon at the formal request of the Government of Lebanon"
Estimated Scope/Duration
Mission-bound but indeterminate
Details: "Although it is not possible at this time to predict the precise duration of the presence of U.S. forces in Beirut, our agreement with the Government of Lebanon makes clear that they will be needed only for a limited period to meet the urgent requirements posed by the current situation."
Type of Enemy or Mission
OtherDetails: Assistance to stabilize Lebanon
Military Activity
Use of ground forcesDetails: "approximately 1200 Marines of a Marine Amphibious Unit" will "provide an interposition force at agreed locations and thereby provide the multinational presence requested by the Lebanese Government"; "the American force will not engage in combat. It may, however, exercise the right of self-defense and will be equipped accordingly."
US Casualties Reported
Unknown
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
