Michel Suleiman ميشال سليمان OM ONC |
|
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12th President of Lebanon | |
In office 25 May 2008 – 24 May 2014 |
|
Prime Minister |
Fouad Siniora Saad Hariri Najib Mikati Tammam Salam |
Preceded by | Fouad Siniora (Acting) |
Succeeded by | Tammam Salam (Acting) |
Commander of the Armed Forces | |
In office 21 December 1998 – 30 August 2008 |
|
Preceded by | Émile Lahoud |
Succeeded by | Jean Kahwaji |
Personal details | |
Born |
Amsheet, Lebanon |
21 November 1948
Political party | Independent |
Spouse(s) | Wafaa Sleiman (1973–present) |
Alma mater |
Lebanese Army Military Academy Lebanese University |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Lebanon |
Service/branch | 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 Sleiman (Arabic: ميشال سليمان Arabic pronunciation: [miːʃaːl suleːmaːn]; born 21 November 1948) is the 11th President of Lebanon, serving from 2008 to 2014. Before becoming President, he served as Commander in chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces from 1998 to 2008.
After Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) commander Émile Lahoud took office as President in November 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December. Suleiman was later elected President and was sworn into office on 25 May 2008.
Sleiman was born in Amsheet in a Maronite Christian family on 21 November 1948. He joined the Lebanese Armed Forces in 1967 and went on to graduate from the Military Academy as 2nd Lieutenant in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Administrative Sciences from the Lebanese University.
During his military career, he also participated in several military training courses :
During his military service, he progressed from an infantry platoon leader to a Battalion Commander, and then assumed the position of a trainer in the Military Academy and in the non-commissioned officer School. From 25 December 1990 until 21 August 1991 he was appointed as the Chief of the Intelligence Branch of Mount Lebanon. The Lebanese Army Intelligence of Mount Lebanon was after the detention of hundreds of anti-Syrian demonstrators with some cases of reported torture. On 25 August 1991 he was reassigned to the post of the Army Staff Secretary-General until 10 June 1993. He was Commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade from 6 June 1993 to 15 January 1996, a period that witnessed violent confrontations with the Israeli forces in the West Beqaa Valley and South Lebanon regions. On 15 January 1996 he was appointed as Commander of the 6th Infantry Brigade and remained in this position until 21 December 1998, when he was appointed as the Commander of the Armed Forces. He was appointed Commander in chief of the Lebanese army, although there were dozens of officers higher in rank and seniority. His appointment was reported to be a result of his family relations with a Syrian high-level official.