ABSTRACT
During and after the Lebanese War, an erosion of Syrian influence began in the Shiite community as well. The Damascus Agreement, otherwise known as the Tripartite Agreement, was a detailed plan to end the civil war, bring about a change in the Lebanese political system, and achieve a preferential status for Syria in Lebanon. The Syrians have again attempted to use their force to halt the battles, clashes, and assassinations which have taken place from time to time in the areas under their domination and influence. The Syrian pressures for the election of a president of their choosing and their refusal to countenance the election of an independent president resulted in a situation where no president was elected at all. Following the Taif Conference, the Syrians made a military and diplomatic effort to isolate Michel Aoun and to appoint a Lebanese president of their own choosing.
