List of Presidents of Lebanon
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Presidents (and acting Presidents) of Lebanon
since the creation of the office in 1926. Though it is not specifically stated in the constitution, an unwritten understanding known as the National Pact
, agreed in 1943, has resulted in the holder of the post being a Maronite Christian in every electoral cycle since that time. This agreement had to be suspended twice, when two Muslims, the former Prime Ministers had to step in as acting presidents, Selim Hoss in 1988 and Fuad Siniora in 2007.
French Mandate of Lebanon
* Assassinated prior to taking office
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
since the creation of the office in 1926. Though it is not specifically stated in the constitution, an unwritten understanding known as the National Pact
National Pact
The National Pact is an unwritten agreement that laid the foundation of Lebanon as a multi-confessional state, and has shaped the country to this day. Following negotiations between the Shi'ite, Sunni, and Maronite leaderships, the National Pact was born in the summer of 1943 allowing Lebanon to...
, agreed in 1943, has resulted in the holder of the post being a Maronite Christian in every electoral cycle since that time. This agreement had to be suspended twice, when two Muslims, the former Prime Ministers had to step in as acting presidents, Selim Hoss in 1988 and Fuad Siniora in 2007.
French Mandate of LebanonFrench Mandate of LebanonThe state of Greater Lebanon, the predecessor of modern Lebanon, was created in 1920 as part of the French scheme of dividing the French Mandate of Syria into six states....
(1926–1943)
| # | Name | Picture | Born–Died | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Debbas Charles Debbas Charles Debbas was a Greek Orthodox Lebanese political figure. He was the first President of Lebanon and served from September 1, 1926 till January 2, 1934, under the French Mandate. He also served as speaker of the Lebanese Parliament from January 30 to October 31, 1934.... |
 |
1885–1935 | 1 September 1926 | 2 January 1934 | Independent |
| _ | Antoine Aubouard (acting) | |
Unknown | 2 January 1934 | 30 January 1934 | Independent |
| 2 | Habib Pacha Es-Saad Habib Pacha Es-Saad Habib Pacha El-Saad was a Lebanese Maronite politician. Initially Prime Minister of Lebanon from August 10, 1928 to May 9, 1929 he was named President under the French Mandate on January 30, 1934 and served in this capacity to January 20, 1936.... |
|
1867–1942 | 30 January 1934 | 20 January 1936 | Independent |
| 3 | Émile Eddé Emile Edde Émile Eddé was a Maronite Lebanese political figure. He served as Prime Minister of Lebanon from 11 October 1929 to 25 March 1930. He served as the President of Lebanon from 1936 to 1941. He also founded the Lebanese National Bloc party.... (1st time) |
 |
1886–1949 | 20 January 1936 | 4 April 1941 | Lebanese National Bloc Lebanese National Bloc Lebanese National Bloc , is a Lebanese conservative political party founded in 1936.The party's founder, Émile Eddé became president the same year under French protectorate. His son, Raymond Eddé, succeeded him as head of the party... |
| _ | Pierre Georges Arlabosse (acting) | |
Unknwon | 4 April 1941 | 9 April 1941 | Independent |
| 4 | Alfred Georges Naccache Alfred Naqqache Alfred Georges Naccache was a Lebanese statesman, prime minister and head of state during the French Mandate of Lebanon. He was serving as Prime Minister when he was appointed President by the French authorities after the resignation of Emile Edde. Pierre-Georges Arlabosse served as acting... |
|
Unknown | 9 April 1941 | 18 March 1943 | Kataeb Party Kataeb Party The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War... |
| _ | Ayoub Tabet Ayoub Tabet Ayoub Tabet was a Lebanese politician and acting President of the Republic during the French Mandate of Lebanon for the period from 18 March to 22 July 1943 replacing President Alfred Naqqache and Prime Minister of Lebanon for the same period... (acting) |
|
1884–1951 | 19 March 1943 | 21 July 1943 | Independent |
| 5 | Petro Trad Petro Trad Petro Trad was a Lebanese a lawyer and a politician and former Lebanese President of the Republic for a brief period .... |
|
1876–1947 | 22 July 1943 | 21 September 1943 | Independent |
| 6 | Bechara Khoury Bechara El Khoury Bechara El Khoury was the first post-independence President of Lebanon, holding office from 21 September 1943 to 18 September 1952, apart from an 11-day interruption in 1943... (before independence) |
1890–1964 | 21 September 1943 | 11 November 1943 | Constitutional Bloc | |
Republic of Lebanon (1943–Present)
| # | Name | Picture | Born–Died | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Bechara Khoury Bechara El Khoury Bechara El Khoury was the first post-independence President of Lebanon, holding office from 21 September 1943 to 18 September 1952, apart from an 11-day interruption in 1943... |
1890–1964 | 22 November 1943 | 18 September 1952 | Constitutional Bloc | |
| _ | Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab (name also spelt Fouad Shihab, or Chehab, depending on transliteration from the original Arabic, (March 19, 1902 - April 25, 1973) was the President of the Lebanese Republic from 1958 to 1964... (1st time, acting) |
 |
1902–1973 | 18 September 1952 | 22 September 1952 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| 8 | Camille Chamoun Camille Chamoun Camille Nimr Chamoun was President of Lebanon from 1952 to 1958, and one of the country's main Christian leaders during most of the Lebanese Civil War .... |
1900–1987 | 23 September 1952 | 22 September 1958 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Lebanon) The National Liberal Party is a center-right political party in Lebanon, established by President Camille Chamoun in 1958... |
|
| 9 | Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab (name also spelt Fouad Shihab, or Chehab, depending on transliteration from the original Arabic, (March 19, 1902 - April 25, 1973) was the President of the Lebanese Republic from 1958 to 1964... (2nd time) |
|
1902–1973 | 23 September 1958 | 22 September 1964 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| 10 | Charles Helou Charles Helou Charles Helou was President of Lebanon from 1964 to 1970.Born in Beirut, Helou was the scion of a powerful Maronite family from Baabda. He graduated with honours from St. Joseph's University in Beirut in 1929, and went on to complete a Law degree in 1934... |
|
1913–2001 | 23 September 1964 | 22 September 1970 | Chehabist Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab (name also spelt Fouad Shihab, or Chehab, depending on transliteration from the original Arabic, (March 19, 1902 - April 25, 1973) was the President of the Lebanese Republic from 1958 to 1964... |
| 11 | Suleiman Frangieh Suleiman Frangieh Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh, last name also spelled Frangié, Franjieh, or Franjiyeh , was President of Lebanon from 1970 to 1976... |
|
1910–1992 | 23 September 1970 | 22 September 1976 | Marada Movement |
| 12 | Elias Sarkis Elias Sarkis Elias Sarkis was the President of the Lebanese Republic from 1976 to 1982.-Early career:Born in Shabbaniah, Sarkis graduated with a Law degree from Saint Joseph University in 1948. After joining the judicial corps in 1953, he became a judge with the Accounting Department... |
|
1924–1985 | 23 September 1976 | 22 September 1982 | Chehabist Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab Fuad Chehab (name also spelt Fouad Shihab, or Chehab, depending on transliteration from the original Arabic, (March 19, 1902 - April 25, 1973) was the President of the Lebanese Republic from 1958 to 1964... |
| _ | Bachir Gemayel Bachir Gemayel Bachir Gemayel was a Lebanese politician, militia commander, and president-elect... * |
|
1947–1982 | - | - | Kataeb Party Kataeb Party The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War... |
| 13 | Amine Gemayel Amine Gemayel Amine Pierre Gemayel was President of Lebanon from 1982 to 1988 and is the leader of Kataeb Party.Born in the Lebanese village of Bikfaya, Amine Gemayel is the son of Pierre Gemayel, founder of the Kataeb Party... |
 |
1942– | 23 September 1982 | 22 September 1988 | Kataeb Party Kataeb Party The Lebanese Phalanges , better known in English as the Phalange , is a traditional right-wing Lebanese political party. Although it is officially secular, it is mainly supported by Maronite Christians. The party played a major role in the Lebanese War... |
| _ | Selim Hoss Selim al-Hoss Selim Ahmed El-Hoss is a veteran Lebanese politician. He was a Prime Minister of Lebanon and a longtime Member of Parliament representing his hometown, Beirut.-Education:... (acting) |
1929– | 22 September 1988 | 5 November 1989 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
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| 14 | René Moawad René Moawad René Moawad was President of Lebanon for 17 days in 1989, from the 5th to the 22nd of November, when he was assassinated by unknowns. Syria accused Michel Aoun of the assassination.... |
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1925–1989 | 5 November 1989 | 22 November 1989 | Independence Movement Independence Movement (Lebanon) The Independence Movement is a neoconservative and secularist Lebanese political party based in Zgharta , founded in 2006 by Michel René Moawad, son of slain Lebanese President René Moawad and MP and former first lady Nayla Moawad.The movement is part of the anti-Syrian Qornet Shehwan... |
| _ | Selim Hoss Selim al-Hoss Selim Ahmed El-Hoss is a veteran Lebanese politician. He was a Prime Minister of Lebanon and a longtime Member of Parliament representing his hometown, Beirut.-Education:... (acting) |
1929– | 22 November 1989 | 24 November 1989 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
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| _ | Michel Aoun Michel Aoun Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian... (acting) |
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1935– | 23 September 1988 | 13 October 1990 | Military Lebanese Armed Forces The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army according to its official Website The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية | Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa al-Lubnāniyya) or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the... |
| 15 | Elias Hrawi Elias Hrawi Elias Hrawi was a President of Lebanon, whose term of office ran from 1989 to 1998.He was a native of the Beqaa valley. He was elected on 24 November 1989, two days after the assassination of René Moawad, who had held office for just seventeen days... |
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1925–2006 | 24 November 1989 | 24 November 1998 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| 16 | Émile Lahoud Émile Lahoud General Émile Jamil Lahoud is a former President of Lebanon. Lahoud is a Maronite-Catholic, as is required for the Lebanese presidency. Under Lebanon's unwritten constitutional agreement, the National Pact, the presidency is earmarked for Maronite_Catholic, the parliament speaker's post for a Shia... |
 |
1936– | 24 November 1998 | 23 November 2007 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| _ | Fuad Siniora (acting) |  |
1943– | 23 November 2007 | 25 May 2008 | Future Movement |
| 17 | Michel Suleiman Michel Suleiman Michel Suleiman or Sleiman is the President of Lebanon. Before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. After LAF commander Émile Lahoud took office as president in November of 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December... |
1948– | 25 May 2008 | Incumbent | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
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* Assassinated prior to taking office
Living former Presidents
| President | Born |
|---|---|
| Amine Gemayel Amine Gemayel Amine Pierre Gemayel was President of Lebanon from 1982 to 1988 and is the leader of Kataeb Party.Born in the Lebanese village of Bikfaya, Amine Gemayel is the son of Pierre Gemayel, founder of the Kataeb Party... |
22 January 1942 (age 70) |
| Michel Aoun Michel Aoun Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian... |
30 September 1933 (age 78) |
| Émile Lahoud Émile Lahoud General Émile Jamil Lahoud is a former President of Lebanon. Lahoud is a Maronite-Catholic, as is required for the Lebanese presidency. Under Lebanon's unwritten constitutional agreement, the National Pact, the presidency is earmarked for Maronite_Catholic, the parliament speaker's post for a Shia... |
12 January 1936 (age 76) |
See also
- List of Prime Ministers of Lebanon
- List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon
- Lists of incumbents