19 Facts About Michel Suleiman

Michel Suleiman is a Lebanese Maronite Christian politician who served as President of Lebanon from 2008 to 2014.

Michel Suleiman was later elected President and was sworn into office on 25 May 2008.

Michel Suleiman was born in Amsheet in a Maronite Christian family on 21 November 1948.

Michel Suleiman joined the Lebanese Armed Forces in 1967 and went on to graduate from the military academy as 2nd lieutenant in 1970.

Michel Suleiman holds a Bachelor of Arts in politics and administrative sciences from the Lebanese University.

Michel Suleiman 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.

Michel Suleiman was appointed commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, although there were dozens of officers higher in rank and seniority.

Michel Suleiman's appointment was reported to be a result of his family relations with a Syrian high-level official.

Michel Suleiman was generally accepted as being the only possible candidate and as a unifying candidate.

The negotiations were attended by senior representatives from all of Lebanon's major political parties, and the agreement confirmed that Michel Suleiman would be the preferred candidate in the presidential election.

Michel Suleiman was indirectly elected by the Lebanese Parliament, which hadn't had a session, as a result of the ongoing political crisis in the country, for 18 months.

Michel Suleiman made reference to the long-standing crisis between the country's two main political camps when he said that "the people have given us their confidence to fulfill their aspirations, not to afflict them with our petty political disputes".

On 28 May 2008, President Michel Suleiman reappointed Fouad Siniora as prime minister.

Siniora was the parliamentary majority's candidate for the position, and Michel Suleiman appointed him in accordance with the country's Constitution and with a majority of 68 MPs who named him.

Shortly after assuming the presidency, Michel Suleiman departed from tradition when he asked that posters bearing his likeness be removed from public display despite the fact that he thanked "citizens, institutions, municipalities and cultural organizations for the outpouring of support and affection".

Michel Suleiman launched the table of national dialogue at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on 16 September 2008, in pursuance of the Doha Agreement's articles, and in view of consolidating National Reconciliation and Entente.

Parallel to local issues, Michel Suleiman exchanged visits with heads of friendly countries, and took part in the work of regional and international organizations, especially the United Nations, in order to consecrate Lebanon's rights and defend its supreme interests.

Lebanon remained without a president until Michel Suleiman Aoun was elected on 31 October 2016.

Michel Suleiman is married to Wafaa Suleiman and has three children.