[2] The confrontation led to the total devastation of the Eastern Canton and ended with the Syrian army invading the Christian areas,[3] Aoun's exile to France[4] and subsequently the end of the civil war.

On 22 September 1988, Michel Aoun, the commander of the Army at the time, was appointed by president Amine Gemayel as the head of the Lebanese government.

[5][6] On 14 March 1989, Aoun declared the War of Liberation against the Syrian occupation army in Lebanon.

On 31 January 1990, Aoun launched an offensive against the Lebanese Forces in East Beirut.

[7] A month later in March, Aoun declared a halt to the fighting and announced his willingness to accept the Taif Agreement with some amendments.