[1][2] In the scholarly literature, the coup has been explained as stemming from the party's ideological preference for violence ("bullets over ballots"), its frustration at exclusion from the Lebanese state, and both political and military criticism of the rule of Fouad Chehab.

[4] The entire coup was predicated on a poorly coordinated plan with conflicting orders.

Because many officers would be off duty or on holiday leave on New Year's Eve, it was chosen as the optimal date of choice to execute.

The plan involved seizing control of the Ministry of National Defense and detaining Fouad Chehab.

[11] The Medal of 31 December 1961 was awarded to all members of the Lebanese Armed Forces who participated in the suppression of the SSNP-L coup attempt.