Al-Murabitun

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Al-Murabitun (al-murabitūn, also transliterated as al-Mourabitoun, an Arabic term literally meaning The Sentinels, but with Muslim historical connotations) was an alternative name for the Independent Nasserist Organization of Lebanon. It was also the name of the party's militia during the Lebanese Civil War, and there often little distinction between the two. Both the INO and al-Murabitun were led by Ibrahim Kulaylat.

The radically Arab nationalist (Nasserist) Al-Murabitun was largely led by Sunni Muslims, but at its peak, its approximately 3,000 fighters also included many Shi'a muslims and some Druze, as well as minor numbers of other Lebanese sects. It participated in the Lebanese National Movement (LNM) under the leadership of Kamal Jumblatt's PSP against government forces and mainly Christian militias, and it was a strong ally of the Palestinian movement. It fought in West Beirut and Tripoli among other places.

Its unwavering support for the PLO resulted in al-Murabitun being attacked and nearly completely destroyed by an alliance of Druze PSP fighters, the Shi'a Muslim Amal Movement and pro-Syrian Palestinian organizations, after Syria launched an all-out offensive on the PLO and its supporters in 1983.

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