Presidents Of Lebanon Since Independence

Lebanon is a parliamentary democratic republic where the prime minister is the head of the government. Since the end of the French Mandate in 1945, these Presidents have helped lead the Lebanese Republic. Lebanon’s President is mandated to appoint or expel the Prime Ministers as well as the Ministers. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has powers to dissolve Parliament. The President promulgates laws, accredits ambassadors, and ratifies international treaties.

Presidents Of Lebanon Since Independence From France

Bechara Khoury

Bechara Khoury served as Lebanon’s President from October 24, 1945, to  September 18, 1952. Born a Maronite Christian in Rechmaya, Lebanon on August 10, 1890, Khoury studied Law in Paris. He worked as a lawyer before leaving for Egypt in 1915 at the start of the First World War. After his return to Lebanon in 1919, he was at the forefront of the establishment of the Advancement Party, and he was elected to the legislature in 1929, 1934, and 1937. He subsequently served in several ministerial posts, the Prime Minister Position, as well as in the Senate. He founded the Constitutional Bloc in 1932. 

Camille Chamoun

Camille Chamoun was the country’s President from September 23, 1952, to September 22, 1958. He was born on April 3, 1900, in Deir el Qamar when Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire. He became a lawyer after completing studies in St. Joseph University. A Maronite Christian himself, Chamoun was active in the Christian Constitutional Bloc group. After his Presidential ambitions had been thwarted by a victory for Bechara Khoury in the 1948 elections, Chamoun organized a Parliamentary opposition. Chamoun was elected to succeed Khoury in 1952. He spearheaded reforms in the administrative sector in an attempt to ensure more efficiency governance of Lebanon. 

Fuad Chehab

Feud Chehab served as Lebanon’s President from  September 18, 1952, to September 22, 1952, and again from September 23, 1958, to September 22, 1964. He was born on March 19, 1902, in Keserwan District and underwent military training in France and Syria. By 1945, he held office as the commander of the Lebanese Army, and he denied military support to President Bechara Khoury prompting him to step down in the face of opposition. He served in several ministerial posts and as Prime Minister in 1952. Chehab succeeded Chamoun as President in 1958, and he embarked on measures to restore national unity. 

Charles Helou

Charles Helou served as Lebanon’s President from September 23, 1964, to September 22, 1970. He was born on September 25, 1913, in Beirut and acquired a Law Degree at St Joseph University in 1934. He engaged in business and was part of the team that formed the Lebanese Phalanges Party although he withdrew afterward. He represented Lebanon in Vatican as an ambassador in 1947 and subsequently served as the Minister for justice and health and education. 

Other Presidents Of Lebanon

The rest of Lebanon’s Presidents are: Suleiman Frangieh (1970-1976); Elias Sarkis (1976-1982); Bachir Gemayel (1982); Amine Gemayel (1982-1988); Selim Hoss (1988-1989); Michel Aoun (1988-1990); René Moawad (1989); Selim Hoss (1989); Elias Hrawi (1989-1998); Émile Lahoud (1998-2007); Fouad Siniora (2007-2008); Michel Suleiman (2008-2014); Tammam Salam (2014-2016), and Michel Aoun (2016 to present).