Purpose/Mission

Details: Assist Lebanon as part of 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 that had tragically recurred."

Domestic Legal Authority

Details: "I directed this deployment pursuant to my 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

Details: As noted in reports of Aug. 24, 1982 and Sept. 29, 1982

Estimated Scope/Duration

Mission-bound but indeterminate

Details: Fighting occurred on August 28, 29, and 30, 1983; "It is still not possible to predict the duration of the presence of these forces in Lebanon..."

Type of Enemy or Mission

Details: Various armed factions in Southern Beruit

Military Activity

Details: "U.S. Marines of the MNF came under small-arms fire ... and this fire was returned"; "fighting erupted again. Marine positions came under mortar, rocket, and small-arms fire, with the result that two Marines were killed and fourteen wounded"; "U.S. Marines returned fire with artillery, small arms, and, in one instance, rocket fire from a helicopter gunship. There were additional exchanges of fire earlier today ... "

US Casualties Reported

Yes

Details: "two Marines were killed and fourteen wounded"

Non-US Casualties Reported

Unknown