Arnoun

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Arnoun ارنون
Administration
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Nabatieh Governorate
District	Nabatieh District
Geography
Arnoun Location of Arnoun, Lebanon
Coordinates	33°20′0″N 35°32′0″E / 33.33333, 35.53333Coordinates: 33°20′0″N 35°32′0″E / 33.33333, 35.53333
Elevation	550 m (1,804 ft)

Arnoun (Arabic: ارنون‎, Hebrew: ארנון‎) is a Shiite Muslim^{[citation needed]} village 7 kilometres (4 miles) south-east of Nabatiyeh, in Nabatiyeh Governorate, southern Lebanon. The village is located approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the Israeli border. The village is approximately 550 metres (1,800 feet) above sea level^[1], and approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles) from the Beaufort Castle.

The noted academic and commentator Fouad Ajami was born in Arnoun^[2].

[edit] Ancient History

Arnoun is linked to the nearby Beaufort Castle. The town's name is derived from the Aramaic arnoun, meaning "little top", referring to the highland where the Beaufort Castle stands^[3]. The castle itself was referred to as Qal'at Shqif Arnoun (Aramaic: the castle of the high rock on the hill), from which the town took its name.

[edit] Modern History

After the establishment of the Israeli Security Zone in southern Lebanon in 1985, Arnoun lay just outside its boundaries, although, from its position at the Beaufort Castle, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) effectively controlled the village.

On February 17, 1999^[4], after attacks on IDF forces were launched from Arnoun, the village was formally incorporated into the Security Zone.

The IDF left Arnoun in May 2000, when it evacuated the Security Zone.

[edit] References

1. ^ Regional Promenade Brochures - Al-Nabatieh
2. ^ "The Native Informant", Adam Schatz, The Nation, April 28, 2003 (accessed September 6, 2006)
3. ^ Regional Promenade Brochures - Al-Nabatieh
4. ^ "Israeli jets attack, troops seize village in south Lebanon", CNN, April 16, 1999 (accessed September 6, 2006)