Michel Suleiman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michel Suleiman
OM ONC OSC
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| ميشال سليمان | |
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Suleiman in 2009
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| 12th President of Lebanon | |
| In office 25 May 2008 – 25 May 2014 |
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| Prime Minister | Fouad Siniora Saad Hariri Najib Mikati Tammam Salam |
| Preceded by | Émile Lahoud Fouad Siniora (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Tammam Salam (Acting) Michel Aoun (2016) |
| 12th Commander of the Armed Forces | |
| In office 21 December 1998 – 30 August 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Émile Lahoud |
| Succeeded by | Jean Kahwaji |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 November 1948 Amchit, Lebanon |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse |
Wafaa Sleiman
(m. 1973) |
| Alma mater | Lebanese Army Military Academy Lebanese University |
| Religion | Maronites |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Lebanon |
| Branch/service | Lebanese Armed Forces |
| Years of service | 1967–2008 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | 11th Infantry Brigade 6th Infantry Brigade Lebanese Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | Lebanese Civil War Operation Dinnieh Operation Benin 2006 Lebanon War Operation Nahr el-Bared |
Michel Suleiman (Arabic: ميشال سليمان; born 21 November 1948) is a Lebanese politician. He served as the 12th President of Lebanon from 2008 to 2014. Before becoming president, he was the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces from 1998 to 2008.
When Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) commander Émile Lahoud became president in November 1998, Suleiman took his place in December. Suleiman was later elected President. He was sworn into office on 25 May 2008.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michel Suleiman was born in Amsheet, Lebanon, on 21 November 1948. His family belonged to the Maronite Christian community.
He joined the Lebanese Armed Forces in 1967. He graduated from the military academy as a 2nd lieutenant in 1970. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and administrative sciences from the Lebanese University.
During his time in the military, he took part in several training courses:
- Officer course in Lebanon (1970)
- Advanced training course in Belgium (1971)
- Staff course in France (1981)
- General Command and Staff Course (1988)
- International Defense Management course in the United States (1995)
Military Career and Achievements
Suleiman started as an infantry platoon leader. He then became a Battalion Commander. He also worked as a trainer in the Military Academy.
From 1990 to 1991, he was the Chief of the Intelligence Branch of Mount Lebanon. Later, he became the Army Staff Secretary-General until 1993. He led the 11th Infantry Brigade from 1993 to 1996. During this time, there were clashes with Israeli forces in the West Beqaa Valley and South Lebanon.
In 1996, he became commander of the 6th Infantry Brigade. In 1998, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army.
Key Military Operations
As commander, Suleiman led the army in important operations:
- Fighting Terrorism: In 2000, the army found and fought terrorist groups in North Lebanon. They stopped many of their activities. In 2007, the army attacked the Fatah al-Islam group in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. This conflict lasted for months and ended with the army taking control.
- Keeping Peace: In 2005, the army helped separate anti-Syrian and pro-Syrian protests.
- Army Redeployment: After Syrian forces left Lebanon in 2005, the Lebanese Army moved its troops to new positions across the country.
- Spy Network Discovery: In 2006, the army found an Israeli spying network in an operation called "Surprise at Dawn."
- Ending the 2006 Lebanon War: Suleiman offered a plan to end the war. This plan included sending the Lebanese Army to the south. This helped bring back Lebanese control to the southern border.
In May 2008, a political crisis led to fighting between different groups in Lebanon. The army, under Suleiman, did not directly join the fighting. Instead, they worked to separate the groups and protect people. Many believed this helped keep the army united and prevented a bigger civil war.
Path to the Presidency
On 23 November 2007, the term of Émile Lahoud, Lebanon's 11th president, ended. At that time, Lebanese politics was divided. The two main groups could not agree on who should be the next president. So, the powers of the presidency went to the government temporarily.
Many people were suggested as possible presidents. However, it became clear that only a candidate who was not part of either main political group would be accepted by both sides. Michel Suleiman was seen as the best choice because he was trusted by both the government and the opposition. He was also trusted by many countries in the Arab region and the West.
Before he could be elected, the political groups had to solve some major disagreements. These included forming a national unity government and agreeing on new election laws. These issues were finally settled during talks in Doha, Qatar, in May 2008. The agreement confirmed that Suleiman would be the chosen candidate for president.
On 25 May 2008, the Lebanese Parliament held the vote. Suleiman was elected president with 118 votes out of 127. This was the first time Parliament had met in 18 months due to the political crisis. Many important people from Lebanon, Arab countries, the United Nations, and other nations attended the session.
In his acceptance speech, Suleiman talked about uniting the country. He said, "We have paid dearly for our national unity. Let us preserve it hand-in-hand." He also urged politicians to focus on the people's needs instead of their own disagreements.
Presidency
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On 28 May 2008, President Suleiman asked Fouad Siniora to be prime minister again. Siniora was the choice of the majority in Parliament.
Suleiman broke from tradition by asking for posters with his picture to be removed from public places. He thanked people for their support but wanted to avoid too much personal display.
His main goals as president included:
- Bringing the country together.
- Making Lebanon a place of dialogue and peaceful living.
- Protecting Lebanon's independence and unity.
- Making the country safe and helping the economy grow.
- Strengthening government institutions.
- Fighting terrorism.
- Following international agreements related to Lebanon.
- Preventing Palestinian refugees from settling permanently in Lebanon.
In September 2008, Suleiman started a national dialogue at the Presidential Palace. This was part of the Doha Agreement. Its goal was to strengthen national unity.
He also visited leaders of other countries and took part in international meetings, like those at the United Nations. This helped to protect Lebanon's interests on the world stage.
His presidency ended on 25 May 2014. At that time, there was no agreement on who would be the next president. Lebanon did not have a president until Michel Aoun was elected in October 2016.
Decorations, Medals, Awards, and Honors
National Honors
Knight and Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar
Extraordinary Class of the Lebanese Order of Merit
1st Class of the Lebanese Order of Merit
2nd Class of the Lebanese Order of Merit
3rd Class of the Lebanese Order of Merit
Military Honors
- Decoration of Military Pride, silver grade
- Medal of War
- Decoration of Military Valor, silver grade
- Decoration of the National Unity
- Decoration of the Dawn of the South
- Certificate of Honor of the Arab Union
- Decoration of Arab Union for Military Sports, 2nd degree (commander)
- Military Medal
- Internal Security forces' Medal
- General Security Medal
- State security Medal
- Commemorative Medal of Conferences for the year 2002
- Citations of the Armed Forces Commander, 4 times
- Felicitations of the Armed Forces Commander, 18 times
- Felicitations of the Brigade Commander, once
Foreign Honors
Brazil:
Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross - 2010
Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco - 2010
Cyprus:
Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III - 2010
France:
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour - 2009
Greece:
Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
Ivory Coast:
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast - 2013
Kuwait:
Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great - 2009
Monaco:
Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Charles - 13 January 2011
Qatar:
Collar of the Order of the Independence - 2010
Russia:
Medal from the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Russian Federation - 2007
Saudi Arabia:
Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud - 2008
Senegal:
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion - 2013
Spain:
Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic - 21 October 2009
SMOM:
Collar of the Order pro Merito Melitensi - 2009
Syria:
Member 1st Class of the Order of the Umayyads - 2010
Syrian Order of Merit, grade of excellence – 2010
Ukraine:
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (4th Classes) – 2002
United Arab Emirates:
Collar of the Order of Zayed - 10 February 2009
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Honorary Degrees
- Russia: Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO) - 2010
Argentina: Doctorate Honoris Causa from the National University of the Third of February in Buenos Aires (UNTREF) – 2012
Personal Life
Michel Suleiman is married to Wafaa Suleiman. They have three children:
- Rita, a dentist, born in 1975.
- Lara, an architect, born in 1978.
- Charbel, a doctor, born in 1983.
His first language is Arabic. He also speaks French and English fluently. He is a Maronite Christian.
See also
In Spanish: Michel Sleiman para niños
