René Moawad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency René Moawad OM ONC
رينيه معوض
Moawad in 1989
9th President of Lebanon
In office 5 November 1989 – 22 November 1989*
Prime Minister	Salim Al-Huss
Preceded by	Salim Al-Huss (acting)
Succeeded by	Salim Al-Huss (acting)
Personal details
Born	17 April 1925 Zgharta, Greater Lebanon
Died	22 November 1989 (aged 64) Beirut, Lebanon
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Nayla Moawad ​ (m. 1965⁠–⁠1989)​
Children	2, including Michel Moawad (1972)
Alma mater	Saint Joseph University
Profession	Lawyer, politician
*Moawad's term was disputed by Michel Aoun.

René Moawad (born 17 April 1925) was an important Lebanese politician. He became the 9th President of Lebanon. He served as president for a very short time, just 18 days, in November 1989. Sadly, he was killed by a car bomb. His main goal was to bring peace to Lebanon after a long and difficult civil war.

Early Life and Education

René Moawad was born in 1925. His parents were Anis Moawad and Evelyn Shalhoub. He went to school in Tripoli and later at Collège Saint Joseph in Antoura.

He then studied law at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. He finished his law degree in 1947. After graduating, he worked at a law firm owned by Abdallah El-Yafi, who later became a Prime Minister. In 1951, René Moawad opened his own law firm in Tripoli.

Becoming a Politician

Moawad first tried to enter politics in 1951. He ran for a seat in the National Assembly (Lebanon's main law-making body) for the area of Zgharta. He didn't win that time. However, this election helped him form an important friendship with the Frangieh family, who were also powerful in politics.

He was later elected to the National Assembly in 1957. He was re-elected many times after that: in 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972. The 1972 election was the last one held before he became president. This was because the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) stopped any more elections from happening for a long time.

In 1952, Moawad was briefly arrested. This happened because he took part in a national protest. This protest led to the first president of independent Lebanon, Bechara El Khoury, stepping down. Moawad also disagreed with the next president, Camille Chamoun. Chamoun wanted to change the constitution to stay in power longer. Because of this, Moawad went to live in Latakia, Syria, for a while. It was during this time that he won his first election to the National Assembly.

Serving in Government

René Moawad became a strong supporter of President Fuad Chehab. He led important committees in Parliament, like the Law Committee and the Finance Committee.

He served as a government minister several times:

• From 1961 to 1964, he was the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
• From 1969, he was the Minister of Public Works.
• From 1980 to 1982, he was the Minister of National Education and Fine Arts.

In 1970, he supported his friend Elias Sarkis for president. However, his old ally Suleiman Frangieh won that election by just one vote. Later, in 1982, Moawad supported Bachir Gemayel for president, even though Gemayel was Frangieh's rival. Despite this, their friendship remained strong.

Becoming President and His Death

After the Taif Agreement was signed to help end the Lebanese Civil War, the National Assembly met. On 5 November 1989, they gathered at the Qoleiat air base in North Lebanon. They elected René Moawad as the new President of Lebanon. The position had been empty since 1988.

Just 17 days after becoming president, on 22 November 1989, a terrible event happened. As he was returning from Lebanon's Independence Day celebrations in West Beirut, a large car bomb exploded near his motorcade. René Moawad and 23 other people were killed.

No clear investigation into his murder has ever been completed. The people responsible and their reasons are still unknown.

Family and Legacy

René Moawad was a Maronite Christian. He was known for his calm and moderate views. Many people hoped he could finally end the long civil war in Lebanon. He believed in non-violence and finding ways to solve problems peacefully. His courage helped all Lebanese groups agree to accept him as president to end the war.

Before he died, Moawad spoke to the nation. He said, "There can be no country or dignity without unity of the people, and there can be no unity without agreement, and there can be no agreement without conciliation, and there can be no conciliation without forgiveness and compromise." After his death, Elias Hrawi became president.

Moawad came from an important family in Zgharta. His father, Anis Bey Mouawad, was the mayor of the town. René was the first person from his family to represent their area in Parliament.

In 1965, Moawad married Nayla Moawad. She was related to Bechara El Khoury, an old political opponent of Moawad's family. Even though there was a historical rivalry between their families, and she was 15 years younger, their marriage was very happy.

They had two children:

• Their daughter, Rima Moawad, is now a lawyer. She studied at Harvard University in the United States.
• Their son, Michel Moawad, is also a lawyer and a businessman. He studied at Sorbonne University in Paris.

After René Moawad's death, his wife Nayla started the René Moawad Foundation. This foundation works to promote dialogue, peace, and social justice, which were the goals René Moawad dedicated his life to. Nayla Moawad was elected to the National Assembly in 1991. She was part of a group that opposed the Syrian military presence in Lebanon.

Their son, Michel Moawad, started a new political party in 2006 called the Independence Movement. This movement is part of groups that are against Syrian influence in Lebanon.

Memorials

• The René Moawad Garden is located in the Sanayeh district of Beirut.

See also

• List of assassinated Lebanese politicians
• List of presidents of Lebanon