PROFILE: Army commander Suleiman is Lebanon’s “president of unity”

adminMay 21, 2008UncategorisedComments are off for this post

Beirut – Lebanon’s army commander Michel Suleiman will be Lebanon’s ‘unity president’ after rival Lebanese political factions agreed, after talks in Qatar, to end their differences in a deal to resolve the 18-month crisis that has kept the country without a president since November. Suleiman will be Lebanon’s 12th president since the country gained its independence in 1943 and the third after the Saudi-brokered taef-accord. General Suleiman, 59, has held his post as commander since 1998. He is seen as a neutra and strong unifyingl figure in the country. He is credited with keeping the military together in the political upheaval and tensions that Lebanon was affected. The head of Lebanon’s army has been credited with keeping the army on the sidelines. He has called on the 56,000-strong army to ignore politics and "listen to the call of duty". Until relatively recently, Gen Suleiman kept a low public profile. His apparent neutrality has earned him the respect of both the opposition and ruling coalition.

Lebanon’s parliament has failed 19 times to elect a president for the country since the former president Emile Lahoud stepped down at the end of his mandate November 23rd 2007.

Lebanon has given itself a chance to end a miserable, murderous cycle (daily star)

For over 18 months, international efforts to find a solution to Lebanon’s harrowing political crisis seemed a lot like searching for a needle in a haystack. Various teams of Arab and international mediators had tried to prod feuding Lebanese leaders toward compromise, but none of these efforts brought about concrete results. It was only after the crisis escalated to the verge of renewed civil war – and after Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani thankfully intervened – that the leaders of rival Lebanese factions managed to secure what once seemed like a permanently elusive deal. The brilliance of the Doha accord is that it has resurrected the Lebanese agenda on Lebanese terrain. For far too long that agenda had been both strangled by local players and dictated to the Lebanese in the form of unrealistic demands from foreign capitals. But the Qatari emir successfully brokered an accord that makes Lebanon the priority, and resolves all outstanding political issues, while incorporating mechanisms for strengthening the Lebanese state. The responsibility for ensuring the full success of the Doha initiative now rests with Lebanese leaders – every one of them, from Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to Lebanese Forces boss Samir Geagea. Over the past few days we have witnessed the transformation of the sentiment on the streets from one of tribulation – when Lebanese leaders pushed this nation to the brink – to one of jubilation – when Lebanon’s executioners were summoned away to the dialogue in Doha. The prevailing sense of joy has increased exponentially now that an agreement has been reached and the Lebanese can for the first time in over three years begin to envision new and boundless horizons for their homeland. The possibilities that the resolution of the political crisis allow for are infinite. One can easily imagine how it can pave the way toward economic development and political reform, as well as rapprochement with Damascus, and even an eventual peace deal with Israel if that country is willing to be reasonable (a possibility that is even easier to envision in light of the Turkish-brokered talks between Syria and Israel). The return of a Lebanese state that is at peace with its own citizens will also enable Lebanon to return to its role as an incubator of talent and creative energy that benefits, rather than destabilizes, the entire region.

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Suleiman joined the Lebanese Military Academy as a student officer in 1976. He graduated from the Military Academy as 2nd Lieutenant in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political and Administrative Sciences from the Lebanese University. He also holds a Masters in English and French. In the early-to-mid 1990s, he commanded an infantry brigade which engaged in violent confrontations with the Israeli army in southern Lebanon. He was appointed as army commander on December 21, 1998, succeeding Emile Lahoud after he was elected president. Gen Suleiman also oversaw the army’s deployment near the border with Israel after Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006. Since then, however, he has distanced himself from Islamist militants. In 2005, he won praise for keeping the army on the sidelines during the political upheaval following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He refused to crush the massive anti-Syrian protests that gripped Beirut during the spring of 2005, helping to force the Syrian military out of Lebanon. Two years later, Gen Suleiman rose to national prominence after the army battled and defeated al-Qaeda-inspired militants in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the north of the country. At the end of the operation, pictures of a victorious Gen Suleiman graced roadside billboards, with the words: "At your command." The broad backing for the army and its leader helped Gen Suleiman’s emergence as a candidate for the presidency. Gen Suleiman has long argued that the army’s role is to maintain the country’s peace and stability – and not"get muddled in politics". In a recent tour of troop positions in the south of the country, Gen Suleiman stressed his belief that "involving the army in internal clashes only serves the interests of Israel".

One of his major quotes is that ‘the state exists because the army is the guardian of the structure of this state.’ He is married to Wafaa Suleiman and has three children. Amshit, 40 kilometres north of Beirut, where Suleiman is from, was getting prepared Wednesday for festivities connected to the election. Amsheet Mayor Antoin Issa told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, that pictures were being put up ‘of the new leader of the country Michel Suleiman and the son of Amsheet.’ Posters reading ‘the real leader of Lebanon’ were erected across Beirut and some people were already distributing sweets to celeberate the election and the end of the political crisis.

Lebanese army chief Michel Sleiman at a military parade in Beirut in 2005. Rival Lebanese leaders have clinched a deal to end an 18-month political feud that exploded into deadly sectarian fighting this month and nearly drove the country to a new civil war.(AFP/File/Joseph Barrak)

Children push a cart as Lebanese men hang a poster of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 7:51 AM
School children carry pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 7:29 AM
Lebanese school children hold a poster of army Commander Michel Suleiman in his village of Amchit during celebrations after an agreement that will see him appointed as President, May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Sharif karim (LEBANON)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – May 21 7:07 AM
A Lebanese man carries pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as people celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:56 AM
School children carry Lebanese flags and pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:55 AM
A girl carries a picture of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as she celebrates with her schoolmates in Suleiman‘s hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:53 AM
A worker fixes Lebanese flags under a giant picture of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:51 AM
Lebanese soldiers deploy in the village of Amchit, home to army Commander Michel Suleiman, during celebrations after a political agreement that will see him appointed as President May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Sharif karim (LEBANON)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:32 AM
Residents of the Lebanese village of Amchit, home to army Commander Michel Suleiman, celebrate a political agreement that will see him appointed as President, May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Sharif karim (LEBANON)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:29 AM
Lebanese school children hold flags and a poster of army Commander Michel Suleiman in his village of Amchit during celebrations after an agreement that will see him appointed as President, May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Sharif karim (LEBANON)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – May 21 6:28 AM
School children carry pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:43 AM
Workers fix Lebanese flags near a giant picture of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
- AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:42 AM
- School children carry pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
  
  AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:32 AM
- Lebanese hang pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
  
  AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:05 AM
- School children carry pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
  
  AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:02 AM
- School children carry pictures of army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, the consensus candidate to be elected as president on Sunday, as they celebrate in his hometown of Aamchit, north of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. . (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
  
  AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:00 AM
- In this Oct. 6, 2007 file photo, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman attends a ceremony in the Christian town of Jounieh, Lebanon. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency says Wednesday, May 21, 2008, that parliament will meet Sunday to elect army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as the country’s president. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
  
  AP via Yahoo! News – May 21 4

AFP/File via Yahoo! News – 12 minutes ago

The Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamed Al Thani, center, congratulates Lebanon‘s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, right, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, left, as other Lebanese politicians watch Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Doha, Qatar. AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Parliament house speaker Nabih Berri (L) and opposition Christian leader Michel Aoun (R) walk together in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders reached a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had pushed their country to the brink of a new civil war. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (QATAR)

AP via Yahoo! News – 10 minutes ago

Lebanon‘s parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri (L) smiles as he speaks with Lebanese Transportation Minister Mohammed Safadi in Doha on May 19. Rival Lebanese leaders have clinched a deal to end an 18-month political feud that exploded into deadly sectarian fighting this month and nearly drove the country to a new civil war.(AFP/DALATI AND NOHRA)

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Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (C) chats with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Fouad

Supporters of Christian opposition leader General Michel Aoun congratulate each other as on news that rival Lebanese leaders have clinched a deal to end an 18-month political feud that exploded into deadly sectarian fighting this month and nearly drove the country to a new civil war.(AFP/Joseph Barrak)

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A member of Lebanon’s opposition remove a tent from central Beirut May 21, 2008. (Sharif Karim/Reuters)

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A man is seen in front of a national flag on the airport road in Beirut during a protest addressing Lebanese politicians participating in the dialogue in Qatar May 20, 2008. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

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A member of Lebanon’s opposition remove a tent from central Beirut May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had pushed their country to the brink of a new civil war. The tents were erected in December 2006 as part of the opposition’s campaign against the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON)

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Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani looks on as Lebanon‘s parliament house speaker Nabih Berri signs the Lebanon peace treaty at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Abdulrahman Zeyara (QATAR)

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Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (L) and parliament house speaker Nabih Berri (R) look on as Lebanon‘s parliament majority leader Saad al-Hariri signs the Lebanon peace treaty at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Abdulrahman Zeyara (QATAR)

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Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (C) looks on with members of the new Lebanese parliament as member of parliament Samir Geagea signs the Lebanon peace treaty at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Abdulrahman Zeyara (QATAR)

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Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Lebanon‘s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (L) and parliament house speaker Nabih Berri (R) look on as Lebanon‘s Brigadier Michel Sleiman signs the Lebanon peace treaty at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Abdulrahman Zeyara (QATAR)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – 14 minutes ago

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (L) and parliament house speaker Nabih Berri (R) look on as Lebanon‘s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora signs the Lebanon peace treaty at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha May 21, 2008. Rival Lebanese leaders signed a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict, pulling their country away from the brink of civil war and paving the way for the election of a new president. REUTERS/Abdulrahman Zeyara (QATAR)

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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, seen here on May 13, 2008, welcomed Wednesday’s deal to end an 18-month deadly feud between Lebanon‘s government and the opposition, but warned the crisis was not over yet.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

AFP/File via Yahoo! News – 1 hour, 30 minutes ago

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (C) chats with Lebanon‘s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (R) and parliament house speaker Nabih Berri (L) during the end of the meeting of Lebanese political rivals in Doha May 21, 2008. (DalatiNohra/Reuters)

Lebanon’s Hezbollah senior official Mohammed Raad (C) chats with opposition Christian Elie Skaf (L) as Christian leader Michel Aoun looks on during the second day meeting in Doha, May 17, 2008. (Jamal Saidi/Reuters)

Reuters via Yahoo! News – May 21 5:39 AM

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (R) applauds with his Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jabar al-Thani (C) and opposition Christian leader Michel Aoun (L) during the end of the meeting between Lebanese political rivals in Doha May 21, 2008. (Jamal Saidi/Reuters)

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President Bush meets the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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U.S. President George W. Bush (R) meets with the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon Nasrallah Sfeir in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, May 21, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)

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BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir called on his country’s neighbors on Tuesday not to take actions that could destabilize democracy in Lebanon. Syria, Iran and Israel are among countries that can influence politics in Lebanon, Sfeir said Monday at Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church in southwest Houston. "We need to be assured that neighboring countries will not attack, invade, undermine or compromise the sovereignty of Lebanon," Sfeir said during the first visit by a Maronite patriarch to Houston. Sfeir said he would press home the same message while meeting with US President George W. Bush on Thursday at the White House. "I have a message to him. I am asking for his help so Lebanon will be sovereign and independent and have the best situation with all her neighbors," Sfeir said.

A Lebanese woman smiles as she holds her children during a candle vigil at Martyrs Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in celebration of the deal to end Lebanon’s long stalemate allowing its allies back into the government after street fighting reminiscent of the 1975-1990 civil war. (AP Photo/Grace Kassab)

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A Lebanese woman releases balloons from the city’s main Martyrs Square in celebration of the deal to end Lebanon’s long stalemate AP via Yahoo! News – 1 hour, 43 minutes ago

A Lebanese man holds white flowers, during the release of balloons from the city’s main Martyrs Square in celebration of the deal to end Lebanon’s long stalemate. (AP Photo/Grace Kassab)

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Lebanese people release white balloons in Martyr’s Square in Central Beirut to celebrate an agreement by Lebanese politicians, ending the worst conflict since the civil war, May 21, 2008. REUTERS/ Steve Crisp (LEBANON)