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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Lebanon
Index
Lebanon's first president after independence was Bishara al
Khuri, elected in 1943 for a six-year term; reelected in 1949 for
a second term, he became increasingly imperial in his actions.
According to his opponents, his regime was characterized by a
narrow political structure supported by a strictly sectarian
framework, and it did little to improve the economy.
In June 1952 an organization called the Social National Front
(SNF) was formed by nine deputies led by Kamal Jumblatt (also given
as Junblatt), head of the Progressive Socialist Party; Camille
Shamun (also given as Chamoun), former ambassador to Britain; Emile
Bustani, a self-made millionaire businessman; and other prominent
personalities. This front dedicated itself to radical reform,
demanding that the authorities end sectarianism and eradicate all
abuses in the governmental system. The SNF founders were encouraged
by people claiming to be dissatisfied with the favoritism and
corruption thriving under the Khuri regime.
On May 17, 1952, the front held a meeting at Dayr al Qamar,
Shamun's native town. The meeting was attended by about 50,000
people and turned into a mass rally. The speakers criticized the
regime and threatened rebellion if the president did not resign. On
July 23 the
Phalange Party (see Glossary),
led by Pierre Jumayyil
(also given as Gemayel), also voiced its discontent with the
regime. On September 11 the SNF called for a general strike to
force the president to resign; the appeal brought all activities in
the major cities to a standstill. This general strike is sometimes
referred to as the "Rosewater Revolution" because of its
nonviolence. President Khuri appealed to General Fuad Shihab (also
given as Chehab) the army chief of staff, to end the strike.
However, Shihab refused to become involved in what he considered a
political matter, and on September 18, Khuri finally resigned.
Data as of December 1987
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