in the aftermath of the june–september 1982 israeli invasion of lebanon, president amin gemayel, convinced that a strong and unified national defense force was a prerequisite to rebuilding the nation, announced plans to raise a 60,000-man army organized into twelve brigades (created from existing infantry regiments), trained and equipped by france and the united states. in late 1982, the 2nd infantry regiment was therefore re-organized and expanded to a brigade group numbering 2,000 men, most of whom were sunni muslims from northern lebanon, which became on january 18, 1983 at scout city – batroun, the 2nd infantry brigade.