Haret Saida Checkpoint -

Lebanese Detention Center

The checkpoint was controlled by the Lebanese Forces and it was mainly set up due to the heavy clashes between the Christians and Palestinians, and due to Haret Saida being very close to the Palestinian refugee camp Meye w Meye. The checkpoint was first established some time after the beginning of the Lebanese war in 1975, and it maintained there until the withdrawal of the Lebanese Forces from Saida in April, 1985. According to information we have, potentially hundreds of people were kidnapped at this checkpoint. The kidnapped people were not only Palestinians, they were also Lebanese Muslims or leftists. The detention centers of Abra and Ain el Helwe, both located in Saida, were controlled by the Lebanese Forces and, hence, might be related to the checkpoint.