Armenians in Lebanon

==Armenians in Lebanon (1975–present)==
{{further|Lebanese Civil War}}
[[File:ArmeniansofLebanon.jpg|thumb|right|Around 10,000 Lebanese-Armenians marching on April 24, 2006, on the 91st anniversary of the [[Armenian genocide]]]]
During the Lebanese Civil War, Armenians, grouped in Bourj Hammoud and Anjar, have been known for their neutrality in the civil war.<ref>[https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad19f.html Armenians in Lebanon, UNHCR, 1989]</ref> And while the insecurity and economic dislocation of the war caused Lebanese Armenians to lose much of their number to emigration, the distinctive features and manifold successes of the community yet remain.<ref name="ejournals.bc.edu"/>

There are three prominent Armenian political parties in Lebanon: the [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation]] (also Dashnak or Tashnag), [[Social Democrat Hunchakian Party]] (Hunchag) and [[Armenian Democratic Liberal Party]] (Ramgavar Party). They play significant influence in all facets of Armenian life. During the civil war militant organizations, such as [[ASALA]], became active in Lebanon, and used it as a launching pad for their operations. ASALA was founded in 1975 in Beirut, during the Lebanese Civil War by [[Hagop Hagopian (guerilla)|Hagop Hagopian]], pastor Reverend [[James Karnusian]]<ref>Rev. James Karnusian, retired pastor and one of three persons to establish ASALA, dies in Switzerland // The Armenian Reporter International, 18 April 1998.</ref> and [[Kevork Ajemian]],<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104104042/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22427363.html Kevork Ajemian, Prominent Contemporary Writer and Surviving Member of Triumvirate Which Founded ASALA, Dies in Beirut, Lebanon]", ''Armenian Reporter'', 1999-02-01</ref> a prominent contemporary writer, with the help of sympathetic [[Palestinians]].<ref name="countrystudy">"[http://countrystudies.us/turkey/85.htm Political Interest Groups]", ''[http://countrystudies.us/turkey/ Turkey: A Country Study]'' ed. [[Helen Chapin Metz]]. Washington, D.C.: The Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, 283, 354–355 {{oclc|17841957}}</ref>

More than 150,000 Lebanese-Armenians have political representation in 6 seats in the Lebanese Parliament, in addition to one ministerial position.<ref name="the961.com"/>

Lebanon was one of the region’s first nations and the first [[Arab League]] member to recognize the [[Armenian genocide]]. The Armenian bloc of the [[Lebanese Parliament]] put forth a resolution, calling for the commemoration of the anniversary of the [[Armenian genocide]]; the legislature unanimously approved the resolution on 4 April 1997<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cilicia.com/armo10i_lebanon.html |title=Lebanon Recognizes the Armenian Genocide |access-date=2007-04-17 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211832/http://www.cilicia.com/armo10i_lebanon.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In May 2000, the Lebanese Parliament approved a resolution calling for the commemoration of the Genocide’s 82nd anniversary and called on all Lebanese citizens to unite with the Armenian people every April 24 to commemorate it.<ref name="the961.com"/>

On 4 August 2020, during the [[2020 Beirut explosions]], 15 Armenians were killed,<ref>[https://news.am/eng/news/599227.html Another Armenian dies in Beirut blast, News.am]</ref> more than 250 injured, the [[Holy See of Cilicia|Armenian Catholicosate in Antelias]] suffered great material damage, Armenian churches and the building of [[Haigazian University]] have been damaged.<ref>[http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/283710/ At least three Armenians killed in deadly Beirut blasts, Panarmenian.net]</ref><ref>[https://en.armradio.am/2020/08/05/armenian-catholicosate-damaged-in-beirut-explosion/ Armenian Catholicosate damaged in Beirut explosion, Public Radio of Armenia, 05.08.20]</ref><ref>[https://news.am/eng/news/595701.html Armenian representative in Lebanon: The scale of destruction from Beirut blast is unprecedented]</ref>