Samir Zeinoun (Zaynoun) in the Lebanese Forces
Since his joining the Lebanese Forces (LF), he was involved in every major battle they engaged in;
including being under siege for 3 months alongside Samir Geagea by Walid Jumblatt's
Militia.
Geagea was in charge of the LF fighters in the Shouf Mountains at the time,
and as they were escaping from the battle front through the forests; Zeinoun carried
Geagea as they ran so that Geagea would not get tired.
When back in Beirut , Zeinoun started to train LF fighters and was later appointed
to lead the Lebanese Forces Northern Command located in Qatara village.
He was also a member of the Operations Room in Lebanese Force Military Council.
The villagers of Qatara swear to this day of his decent character and his religious
devotion and he was hardly ever seen without Rosary Beeds in his hand.
In the military base of Qatara, Samir Geagea (who had become the Head of the
Lebanese Forces) used to regularly visit Zeinoun and spend hours in his office discussing
military tactics and matters of the front. It is said by many present at the base
that Zeinoun would sleep on the floor and have Geagea stay in his bed rather than
have him sleep in the barracks.
Samir Zeinoun's relationship with Samir Geagea (his future executioner) was that
of loyalty and devotion. Zeinoun was able to take extraordinary orders and endure
many hardships in his defence of the Christian cause as he saw Samir Geagea the
epitome of the cause.
At that time, the Lebanese Forces Intelligence Branch was
engaged in an internal power struggle to take over the Northern Command and the
lucrative Barbara Checkpoint. Samir Zeinoun was opposed to such a move.
In 1987
the head of the Lebanese Forces Intelligence Branch, Ghassan Touma was present with
Zeinoun at the Intelligence Headquarters in Karantina during military rounds; he
was overheard by Samir Zeinoun's brother George threatening "May God curse me if
I keep you alive, Samir Zeinoun" and then walked away.
