Suleiman Frangieh

Suleiman Franjieh, President of the Lebanese Republic from 1970 to 1976. He was elected in 1960 as a member of the Parliament, succeeding his brother Hamid, and was re-elected in 1964 and 1968. In 1970, he was elected president by a margin of one vote against Elias Sarkis, succeeding President Charles Helou. His reign witnessed 7 governments headed by 6 different presidents: Saeb Salam (twice), Amin al-Hafiz, Taqi al-Din al-Solh, Rashid al-Solh, Nour al-Din al-Rifai, and Rashid Karami. His reign also witnessed the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War in April 1975. The Lebanese National Movement opposed his rule and demanded his resignation. On January 24, 1976, 66 representatives signed a petition demanding his resignation, but he rejected it, insisting on ending his term. He was one of the pillars of the Lebanese Front until his separation from it in 1978 after his relationship with the rest of its members worsened. These disputes led to members of the Lebanese Forces, led by Samir Geagea, attacking his stronghold in Ehden, which led to the killing of his son Tony, leader of the Marada militia. He nominated himself for the presidency of the republic, succeeding Amin Gemayel, in 1988, but several things happened that led to the cancellation of the elections, as members of parliament did not agree on the president, while Syria and the United States tried to force the election of Mikhail Al-Daher as president of the republic. With these events, the elections did not take place on time, and President Gemayel handed over power to a military government led by the commander of the Lebanese army, Michel Aoun. This government was not recognized by a large number of politicians, and they recognized an existing government headed by Salim Al-Hoss, the acting prime minister at the time. During this period, the Taif Conference was held between the Lebanese parties, and it was The Taif Agreement was concluded, and after the agreement, it was agreed between the politicians participating in the conference, and with the approval of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and a number of countries, to elect Rene Moawad as President of the Lebanese Republic. Franjieh had a distinguished relationship with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. He was succeeded politically by his grandson, Suleiman Franjieh. He died in Zgharta on July 23, 1992.