57. Editorial Note
On June 3, Director of Central Intelligence Allen Dulles briefed the National Security Council on significant world developments affecting U.S. security. His briefing included an assessment of developments in Lebanon which prompted a question from President Eisenhower:
“There had been no great change in the situation in Lebanon, said Mr. Dulles, since he last reported to the Council. However, no change was not good news, because the absence of change plays against the Lebanese Government, which was failing to put down the revolt. General Chehab, the Chief of Staff, seemed to lack the guts to use his army against the dissident forces. There would be no doubt, either, of massive support for the rebels by the United Arab Republic. The current tactics of the rebels seem to be to cut off the northern half of Lebanon from the southern half. Thus the total picture, while it changed from time to time, was generally gloomy, and President Chamoun was still counting on US–UK intervention if other measures against the rebels failed.
“The President inquired whether President Chamoun needed more weapons. Mr. Dulles replied that the Lebanese armed forces had all the weapons they needed, but lacked the will to make use of
[Page 90]them.” (Memorandum of discussion at the 368th Meeting of the National Security Council, prepared by Gleason; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)