Ali Eid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ali Eid
|
|
|---|---|
Ali Eid at the presidential suite of the Sheraton Hotel - Damascus 2008
|
|
| General Secretary of the Arab Democratic Party | |
| In office 1972–2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Rifaat Eid |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 July 1940 Tripoli, Lebanon |
| Died | 25 December 2015 (aged 75) Damascus, Syria |
| Political party | Arab Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Fatat Marouch |
| Children | Youssef, Alissar, Rifaat Eid, Zoulficar (born 1978, died in 1989), Noureddine, Mohsen, Lubna, Issa, Zoulficar (born 1990) |
| Residence | Jabal Mohsen |
| Alma mater | PSPA at American University of Beirut |
| Profession | Politician |
Ali Eid (born 14 July 1940 – died 25 December 2015) was an important Lebanese politician. He was known as a leader for the Alawite Community in Lebanon. In 1972, he started a political group called the Arab Democratic Party. He served as the General Secretary of this party until he passed away.
His Early Life and Education
Ali Eid was born in Tabbaneh, a part of Tripoli, Lebanon. He was the oldest son of Youssef Eid, who sold wheat, and his mother Amoun Eid. He went to Tripoli Boys School, also known as the American School in Tripoli. During his summer breaks, he studied with Sheikh Khoder in Tabbaneh. Ali Eid was a very good student and always came first in his class.
In 1960, Ali Eid decided to continue his studies. He went to the USA to study Biochemistry. Even then, his friends knew him for his strong love for his country and his desire for fairness.
Later in 1960, Ali Eid returned to Lebanon. He attended the American University of Beirut (AUB). There, he studied Political Science and Public Administration. While studying in Beirut, he realized that the political system in Lebanon was not fair to people from his religious group, the Alawites. He felt they were not getting their fair share of rights.
Starting His Political Journey
Ali Eid began his political career in 1972. He founded a group called "The Alawite Youth Movement." He also formed an alliance with the Syrian President at the time, Hafez al-Assad.
In 1977, Ali Eid and some friends started another party called "The Front Opposing Patriotism." Ali Eid was the Vice President of this group. In 1982, this party was replaced by "The Arabic Democratic Party". Ali Eid became its General Secretary.
A sad event happened in 1989 when his son, Zoulficar, died. This was caused by an unexploded bomb left over from the Lebanese Civil War.
In 1991, Ali Eid was chosen to be a member of the Lebanese Parliament. This was a new seat created specifically for the Alawites after an agreement called the Taif Agreement.
Ali Eid and his party were supportive of Syria during the Lebanese Civil War. However, over time, he and other Lebanese Alawites became more neutral. This was partly because he lost his Parliament seat in 1996.
In 2010, some explosives were found near his home in Jabal Mohsen, Tripoli. Luckily, they were safely removed. In March 2015, his brother, Bader, passed away in the village of Kuweikhat.
His Passing
Ali Eid passed away on 25 December 2015, in Damascus, Syria. He was 75 years old.
