Lebanese ‘general’ who waited over 3 decades to become president

beirut — Michel Aoun, Lebanon’s strong-willed Christian leader, has waited more than three decades for the chance to become president.

On Monday, the 81-year-old politician finally fulfilled his ambition, becoming the country’s 13th head of state after he was voted in by a majority in parliament.

A former army commander known affectionately by his many supporters as “the General,” Aoun led his forces through some of the deadliest battles of Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war and has repeatedly shifted alliances to survive the country’s notoriously thorny politics — briefly rising to become prime minister in 1988.

In 1990, Syrian troops forced an embattled Aoun from Lebanon’s Baabda palace and pushed him into exile in France, where he remained for 14 years. Now, he returns triumphantly to the presidential palace.

“I have come from a long history of struggle full of sacrifices, especially in the military establishment,” Aoun said in a speech shortly after he was elected. “I hope that we will guarantee the stability that the Lebanese hope for.”

Aoun, who has been a fixture in Lebanese politics for the past four decades, is a divisive figure, often described as mercurial, temperamental and obsessed with becoming president.

He was born in the southern Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik in 1935 and went to Catholic schools before joining Lebanon’s military academy. He graduated as a first lieutenant in 1958 specialized in artillery.

After Lebanon’s 15-year civil war broke out in 1975, Aoun remained in the army and took part in several major battles

In June 1984, Aoun was named army commander. Four years later, the then-president Amin Gemayel appointed Aoun as interim prime minister before stepping down with no replacement. In March 1989, Aoun

I have come from a long history of struggle full of sacrifices, especially in the military establishment Michel Aoun

launched the so-called “War of Liberation” aimed at expelling Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon.

Later that year, Lebanese legislators travelled to the Saudi city of Taif where they reached an agreement to end the war. Aoun rejected the deal and dissolved the parliament.

In 1990, intense fighting broke out between Lebanese army troops loyal to Aoun and the Lebanese Forces Christian militia.

But on October 13, Syrian soldiers and Lebanese troops stormed the palace, assisted by Syrian airstrikes. Aoun was forced to flee to the French embassy, and eventually to exile in France.

During his exile, Aoun campaigned against Syria and Hezbollah. He called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. Aoun returned from France in 2005, in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

In February 2006, he signed a memorandum of understanding with his former rival, Hezbollah. Two years later, he visited Syria and was welcomed by President Bashar Assad.

Aoun today heads the secondlargest bloc in parliament. He enjoys wide support among Christians and Shias.

He is married to Nadia Al Shami and they have three daughters, Mireille, Claudine and Chantal. —