Antoine Lahad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antoine Lahad
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| Born | 1927 Kfar Qatra, French Lebanon |
| Died | September 10, 2015 (aged 87–88) Paris, France |
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South Lebanon Army |
| Rank | General |
Antoine Lahad (born in 1927, died September 10, 2015) was a military leader from Lebanon. He led the South Lebanon Army (SLA) from 1984 until the year 2000. The SLA was a group that worked to protect southern Lebanon. When the army left southern Lebanon, the SLA was disbanded.
Contents
Early Life
Antoine Lahad was born in 1927 in a village called Kfar Qatra in Lebanon. His family was Maronite Catholic. He finished his studies at the Lebanese Military Academy in 1952.
Military Career
Lahad became the leader of the SLA in 1984. He took over after the first leader, Saad Haddad, passed away. Lahad was a high-ranking officer in the Lebanese Army, a major general. He was also close to the Lebanese President, Camille Chamoun. Because of his experience and respect, he agreed to lead the army in the southern part of Lebanon, which was facing many problems. He worked to unite soldiers from different religious groups in Lebanon.
Leading the South Lebanon Army
As the commander of the SLA, General Lahad created three main groups of soldiers. These groups included people from different backgrounds like Druze, Shia, and Christians. They all worked together to take back control of Lebanese land from various Palestinian groups that had taken over much of southern Lebanon.
During his time leading the SLA, Lahad stayed in touch with leaders in the capital city. Many political and religious leaders would visit him to ask for his help. He also made sure that Lebanese army soldiers in the south started getting their salaries again, which had been stopped. He helped build three large hospitals in Hasbaya, Marjyoun, and Nabatieh. He also helped improve the economy in southern Lebanon, which had often been ignored by the main government.
After the south became more stable, the SLA faced challenges from a group called Hezbollah. This continued until Israel decided to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. It's important to know that this withdrawal happened peacefully, without any fighting or injuries on either side.
Challenges with Lebanon and Hezbollah
Because Israel occupied southern Lebanon, a group called Hezbollah was strongly against Lahad. People traveling into southern Lebanon were sometimes asked to promise they would not meet with Lahad or his people. Lahad's main office was in Marjayoun. At his headquarters, an Israeli flag flew alongside two Lebanese flags. There was also a broadcast center for the Pat Robertson CBN there.
Assassination Attempt
In 1988, a 21-year-old woman named Souha Bechara tried to harm Lahad. She had grown up in the Eastern Orthodox Church and later joined a group that opposed Lahad. She pretended to be an aerobics instructor to get close to Lahad's family. On November 7, 1988, while she was having tea with Lahad's wife, Lahad came home. Bechara shot him twice in the chest. His security team quickly stopped her. Lahad spent eight weeks in the hospital and was left with a paralyzed left arm.
After he recovered, Lahad decided to pardon and release Souha Bechara. This happened after the Lebanese and French governments asked him to do so. She had spent ten years in a place called Khiam prison, with six of those years in a very small cell by herself.
Israel's Withdrawal
When Israel pulled its forces out of southern Lebanon in 2000, Lahad wanted the SLA to keep fighting against Hezbollah.
The South Lebanon Army Collapses
Lahad did not get the support he needed, and the SLA fell apart after Israel left. At that time, Lahad was in Paris, France. He was trying to convince French officials to send their troops to replace his army. He always wanted a peaceful solution, following a United Nations resolution called 425.
After the rest of the SLA broke up, Lahad went to Israel. In Lebanon, he was accused of serious crimes and sentenced to death if he ever returned. In May 2000, Lahad met with an Israeli government official, Uri Lubrani. Lahad was very worried about how SLA members who ended up in Israel would be treated. He said that the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, had not tricked him. Lahad believed it was important for his country to work with Israel. He also said that the United Nations Security Council resolution 425 was a good reason for Israel to withdraw its armed forces. Lubrani promised Lahad that the SLA members would be treated well. He also thanked Lahad and his men for their "long struggle for peace." Soon after, Lahad went to France to be with his family. However, the French government did not allow him to live in the country, even though he had family there.
Later Life and Death
After not being allowed to live in France, Lahad moved to Israel. In 2004, he wrote a book about his life in Hebrew, called In the Midst of a Storm: An Autobiography.
In November 2006, Lahad gave an interview to a news organization called Ynet.
In May 2014, a court in Lebanon again sentenced him to death in his absence. This was for very serious accusations related to working with an enemy and being involved in kidnapping, violence, and murder.
Antoine Lahad passed away in Paris on September 10, 2015, from a heart attack.
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See also
In Spanish: Antoine Lahd para niños
