Al Amal was founded in 1939.[1][3] The paper, headquartered in Beirut,[4] was published both in Arabic and French.[3][5] It is the official publication of Phalangist Party (in Arabic Kataeb) and had a right-wing approach.[6] Its major function was to convey the party's views and ideas.[2] Subscription to the newspaper became compulsory for all phalangist members in 1966.[2] Following the control of the party by the Lebanese Forces, namely Elie Hobeika and Samir Geagea, the paper was for a time temporarily controlled by the Lebanese Forces in 1986,[7] but now reflects solely the points of view of the Phalange.