Al-Mourabitoun
Movement of Independent Nasserists - al-Mourabitun (Arabic: حركة الناصريين المستقلين-المرابطون) is a Nasserist political organization and former militia group in Lebanon. al-mourabitūn, also transliterated as al-Murabitoun, is an Arabic term with Muslim historical connotations literally meaning The Sentinels). Al-Murabitun were led by Ibrahim Kulaylat.
The radically Arab nationalist Al-Murabitun was largely led by Sunni Muslims, but at its peak, its approximately 3,000 fighters also included a minor numbers of other Lebanese sects. It participated in the Lebanese National Movement (LNM) under the leadership of Kamal Jumblatt's PSP against government forces and mainly Christian militias, and it was a strong ally of the Palestinian movement. It fought in West Beirut, Sidon and Tripoli among other places.
History
Formed in 1958, by Ibrahim Qoleilat (Kuleilat) its membership was mainly composed by Muslims of Sunni sects. It was Arab socialist and secular, as well as radically pan-Arab and Arab nationalist, it formed an important part of the opposition to the Maronite-dominated order in Lebanon. It was a member of the Front for Progressive Parties and National Forces, later reorganized as the Lebanese National Movement (LNM). It was a strong ally of the Palestinian movement.
Before and during the Lebanese Civil War it organized an armed militia known as AlMourabitoun, which held positions in West Beirut and Tripoli, Sidon, Akkar and the Bekaa valley. The party was nearly destroyed in a series of organized attacks that started in the war of 1982 during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. During the war, the Israeli side requested the exile of 2500 - 7000 members of the organization and of its leader, Ibrahim Kulaylat. An alternative plan plotted by the syrian dictatorship starting in 1984 and executed by the Druze Progressive Socialist Party who attacked the offices of the Mourabitoun. This failed attack prompted a larger attack in 1985 by the Druze [[Progressive Socialist Party and the Amal Movement, who this time succeeded in nearly destroying all of the Mourabitoun offices in Beirut.
Al-Mourabitoun then turned into a secret organization and launched a guerilla war in support of its allies the Palestinians against Amal movement, during what was called War of the Camps between 1985 and 1987.
In 2001 the Mourabitoun under the leadership of Ibrahim Quoleilat, resurrected its presence and started a rebuilding process of the media and social outlets. It 2006 it re-opened offices in Beirut, the North (Tripoli and Akkar), the Bekaa and the South. It remains under the leadership of Ibrahim Koleilat. It stands side by side with major Lebanese organizations, remains independent from outside influence (regional or international). Attempts to split the group have failed to accomplish their objectives and the movement remains independent in its political views and actions as it remains supported by the majority of Pan-Arab citizens across Lebanon.
Recently the Mourabitoun resumed some of their media departments and started as test broadcast of their radio station known as Voice of Arab Lebanon on the internet.
They also received the legal approval to start a weekly magazine known as Al-Rassed, with the intention to debut on the internet.
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