The youngest Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army (1984-1990) and ex-Prime Minister of Lebanon (1988-1990), the “General”, as the Lebanese call him, is today a deputy of the Kesrouan-Jbeil district, the Head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc (consisting of 22 deputies from all the Lebanese communities) at the Lebanese Parliament and the leader of the Lebanese opposition.

Michel Aoun was born on February 18th, 1935 in Haret Hreik, a Christian-Shiite village located in the southern suburbs of Beirut. He is the son of Naim Aoun, a farmer, and Marie née Aoun, a housewife. His family consisted of six children: three boys and three girls. He studied in Beirut where he attended the educational institution of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sacred Heart School. As a teenager, he found himself forced to suspend his studies for an entire academic year due to the financial situation of his family. During that year, he worked as a trainee in industrial drawings at an engineering studies office. When he returned to school, he successfully completed the educational curriculum, which is normally covered in two years, in one single year.

Although he was born in a Christian family with strong spiritual values, as a young boy, Michel Aoun succeeded to establish friendships with several Muslim comrades. “We have never had prejudices or discrimination between Ali and Pierre or Hassan and Michel”, he says. “We shared our meals and we slept over at each other’s houses. Their religious celebrations were ours and ours were theirs.”

Two major incidents deeply influenced his childhood and made him the man he is today; the spirit of rebellion was born in him and he applied it to defend the rights of his homeland and its people. The first incident consisted in the harassment of the women in his village by the Senegalese soldiers serving with the French army during the mandate in the 40’s; the other incident occurred during World War II when the Australian soldiers of the Allied Forces invaded the houses of Haret Hreik at night and took the villagers by surprise, including his family and him.

It was in this spirit that in 1948, at the age of 13, he volunteered to distribute humanitarian aids to the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

On November 30th, 1968, he married Nadia El-Chami. They had three girls together: Mireille, Claudine and Chantal, and today, they have eight grandchildren. Michel Aoun has always shown great attachment to family values, and the support of his family, who has never left his side, was certainly crucial in getting him through the difficult times in his life.

His Military Career

On 1/10/1955, Michel Aoun joined the military school as an officer cadet. He was given his first rank as second lieutenant in the artillery on 30/9/1958. Then, he was appointed captain in 1968, major in 1974, lieutenant colonel in 1975 and colonel in 1980.

During the period extending from 1959 till 1972, Aoun occupied several positions in the army artillery in several Lebanese regions. In August 1973, he was transferred to Saida, North Lebanon, where he was placed in command of the 2nd artillery battalion. During the clashes between the Lebanese Army and the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) at the beginning of 1976, Michel Aoun kept ground in spite of the military command’s passivity in giving out orders and continued to defend the remaining free enclaves, while several soldiers, who were concerned for the fate of their families, returned to their villages.

From January 1976 till 1978, he occupied positions in Yarzeh with a mission to reorganize the artillery. From 1978 till 1980, he attended a session of studies at the Higher War School in Paris (France).

When he came back to Lebanon on 20/09/1980, he was dispatched to the Army Staff – Department of Personnel – in the capacity of Acting Head of the Technical Bureau.

On 24/12/1980, he was appointed Major of the Ain El-Remmaneh-Baabda department. Thus, Michel Aoun was in command of the “Defense Brigade”, which units had been stationed along the lines of demarcation separating the East and West sectors of the capital. During the Israeli invasion of Beirut, his troops stopped the advance of the Tsahal towards the southern suburbs of Beirut.

On 14/08/1982, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Lebanese Armed Forces charged with upholding security in Beirut and entrusted with law enforcement during the evacuation of the Israeli army.

By the end of 1982, he was called up to form and be in command of a multifunctional brigade: the 8th brigade known for its heroism during the most crucial battles of the Lebanese War. In 1983, Michel Aoun, at the head of this brigade, won the battle of Souk el-Gharb after fighting off the assault of the Syrian army and its local allies (the Druze militias of Walid Jumblat’s Progressive Socialist Party and certain Palestinian divisions) on the Lebanese regions still under the control of the legal government.

In recognition of his heroism in defending the capital, Aoun was appointed Brigadier-General on 01/01/1984, and on 23/06/1984, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Army.

Sessions Attended Abroad

Michel Aoun was awarded diplomas from:
- The Artillery Training School in Chalons-sur-Marne in France (1959)
- The USA Army Artillery and Missile School in the United States (1966)
- The Higher War School in Paris (1980)
In 1983, he participated in military maneuvers in Fort Benning in the United States.

Medals, Distinctions and Commendations

General Aoun was awarded many medals:
At the national level:
Memorial Medal of 31/12/1961
Lebanese Silver Order of Merit
War medals (4 times)
National Cedar Medal, rank of Knight
Lebanese Order of Merit, 2nd rank
Purple Heart Medal
Lebanese Order of Merit, 1st rank
National Cedar Medal, rank of Officer
National Cedar Medal, rank of Grand Officer
Distinction of the General Commander-in-Chief of the Army (6 times)
Commendations of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (3 times)

At the international level:
Commander of the Legion of Honor by the President of the French Republic (January 29th, 1986)

His Political Career

During the summer of 1988, the presence of the Syrian occupation army and the existing political pressures made it impossible to elect a president for the Republic. Before leaving Lebanon, President Amine Gemayel, by virtue of Decrees No. 5387 and 5388, appointed Michel Aoun at the head of a government consisting of the Army Staff, which principal task was to ensure the election of a new president. This government, which puts an end to the functions of the previous Council of Ministers pursuant to the Constitution, was not acknowledged by the Syrians who gave recognition to the government of Selim Hoss .

On March 6th, 1989, Aoun’s government decided to reactivate the Maritime Chamber in view of regulating illegal ports, which were set up without government authorization during the 14 years of war and which became sources of income for the Syrian militias and army who used the ports to smuggle drugs and weapons. As a result, the Syrian artillery immediately bombed the Port of Beirut. On March 14th, 1989, the bombing hit the office of Michel Aoun at the Ministry of National Defense and attained civilians, resulting in 38 dead and 142 injured. On that same day, Michel Aoun declared the “Liberation War” and officially ordered the Syrians to withdraw their troops from Lebanon. “We have decided to fight and we are certain that victory will be ours”, he confirmed in April 1989. “If we lose, we will at least have left our children with the right to protect their homeland. In all events, we will never give it away to the Syrians.”

In October 1989, the Lebanese deputies were convened in Taif in Saudi Arabia to discuss a “national accord document”. Aoun requested that they not commit to the document before a firm decision is taken concerning the evacuation of the Syrian troops from the Lebanese territories and that they not allow any change to the Constitution before the withdrawal.

On October 22nd, 1989, 58 deputies ratified the “Taif Agreement” by show of hands. Michel Aoun objected to the agreement, seeing that it would not contribute in recovering the peace and would only reconfirm the Syrian control over Lebanon. He warned the deputies of the possible dissolution of the Parliament. However, the deputies met under the Syrian supervision to elect a president: René Moawad (assassinated on 22/11/1989), and then, Elias Hraoui. Aoun appealed against the dissolution of the Parliament by virtue of motivated decree No. 420 of November 4th, 1989. Tremendous demonstrations that have never been witnessed before rushed forth to support the General at the Presidential Palace, renamed the “House of the People”, and permanent sit-ins were held in the gardens surrounding the Palace.

However, when it became evident that the western forces supported “Taif”, that a first attempt was made to dislodge him from Baabda on January 30th, 1990 through the fierce confrontations between the Army and the Lebanese Forces of Samir Geagea and the embargo imposed on the regions under his control, all taking place in vain, and that the invasion of the free regions became inevitable, Michel Aoun officially accepted to ratify the agreement under the following conditions:
1- Lifting the embargo;
2- Acknowledging Elias Hraoui;
3- The consecutive resignation of the 2 governments of Aoun and Hoss;
4- Constituting a credible and representative government of national union;
5- Dissolving the militias;
6- Unifying the army;
7- Refraining from appointing new deputies;
8- Holding free legislative elections under international supervision (ex. under the supervision of the UNO);
9- Ratifying constitutional changes.
These conditions aiming at preserving democracy and national sovereignty were refused.

After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the American government desperately called for Syria’s participation in the coalition it raised against Baghdad. In return for its participation, the Bush government will give Syria the green light to carry out its conquest of Lebanon.

At the dawn of October 13th, 1990, the Syrian army, supported by its intensive bombing raids, invaded the free territories of Lebanon. In the early morning and in view of avoiding a bloodbath, Michel Aoun ordered ceasefire negotiated by the French Ambassador in Lebanon, René Ala. He was asked to head to the embassy headquarters to confirm the negotiated agreement. He was forbidden to leave and go back to the Presidential Palace of Baabda. He arrived to France on August 30th, 1991. Thus, his 15-year exile in France began.

On February 18th, 1996, the resistance movement against the occupation was established, the “Free Patriotic Movement” (FPM).

In September 2003, Michel Aoun testified before the American Congress in favor of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. In his testimony, he confirmed that “the genuine nature of the Lebanese people is reflected in their love for freedom and their affection towards America; and the genuine nature of America is reflected in its support of those who seek freedom… We have never lost faith – and we never will – that our natural allies in the free world will finally see [the Lebanese struggle with Syria] for what it truly is: a fight for freedom against terrorism and oppression”.

On 21/11/2004, on the eve of Independence Day, Michel Aoun called for a Lebanese national dialogue to reach the necessary solutions in view of turning a new page in the history of Lebanon, which will take place upon the imminent retreat of the Syrian army.

On February 14th, 2005, ex-Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated in Beirut. The crime led to a revolutionary uproar and a movement of indignation causing the emergence of several demonstrations that called for the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon. The Syrian army left the Land of the Cedars for the last time on April 27th, 2005 after about three decades of occupation.

On May 7th, 2005, Michel Aoun returned to Beirut after 15 years in exile. He was acclaimed by hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who jammed the streets of the capital to welcome him back.

In June 2005, the FPM focused all its efforts on the legislative elections. Michel Aoun and his proponents came forth with a program including the following keywords: laicism, change, reform, transparency, auditing public funds, responsibility, true democracy, putting an end to corruption, extending the authority of the Lebanese State all over the territory… In spite of the lack of time and funding required to conduct an electoral campaign, the controlled media propaganda launched by his opponents, an electoral law (imposed by the Syrians in 2000) carved to ensure the victory of some at the expense of others… Michel Aoun and his allies won 21 of 128 seats in the Parliament.

On February 6th, 2006, a document of bilateral accord was signed between Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary General of “Hezbollah”, and Michel Aoun. This document consisted of 10 issues of purely Lebanese concern, providing a pacifist framework for the implementation of Resolution 1559 issued by the Security Council, particularly with regard to the weapons of “Hezbollah”. This document received mixed reviews, and the attempt to promote national unity was misinterpreted by the press that unleashed against him a most virulent campaign conducted to mislead the public opinion by making it seem that Michel Aoun has converted – sic – into a pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian.

This campaign grew into an even bigger, more deceitful campaign in the effect of his position vis-à-vis the International Tribunal that the UN is set on initiating to try the assassins of ex-Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Truth be said, Michel Aoun was the first to claim the constitution of a mixed tribunal to determine the perpetrators of this crime, not failing since then to restate his original position at every possible occasion, all without receiving any favorable echoes.

In an attempt to overcome all conflicts, the frontline representatives of all the Lebanese parties initiated a national dialogue during the second half of 2006, which rounds were soon interrupted by Israel’s merciless attack on Lebanon in July-August 2006. Lebanon succeeded to come on top but the prices paid at all levels turned out to be extremely high.

It is at that time that Michel Aoun called for the constitution of a government of national unity that is capable of managing the consequences of the dilemma being lived. However, the existing government insisted on focusing on the International Tribunal and nothing else, without taking into consideration the remarks put forth by the Shiite ministers on this project, which led to their resignation in November 2006, after which they joined the Opposition where they stood behind the FPM. Thus, the Council of Ministers was deemed unconstitutional pursuant to Article 95-J of the Preamble of the Lebanese Constitution.

Putting forth two recommendations: the constitution of a government of national unity and holding the anticipated legislative elections, the different constituents of the opposition organized two monster demonstrations in downtown Beirut each consisting of about 1.5 million Lebanese . The demonstrators then organized a huge permanent sit-in in downtown Beirut, which Lebanon has never witnessed before. Fouad Siniora, at the head of the government, insisted on turning a deaf ear and not stepping down.

On 30/03/2007, Michel Aoun met with Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General. He informed him by written notice of the potential dangers putting Lebanon at threat, the biggest danger being the proliferation of terrorist cells in the country with the authorities’ knowledge. Two months later, one terrorist cell, known as Fateh Al-Islam and connected to Al-Qaida, shut down 10 officers and soldiers of the Lebanese Army while they were near the Palestinian refugee camp in Nahr al-Bared located in North Lebanon. This led the Lebanese army to strike back by waging an anti-terrorist war against the terrorists, among whom were many Saudis. The General gave the army his absolute, unconditional and unfailing support, calling upon the international community to provide the army not only with verbal support but also with the necessary material assets to go through with their counterattack.

His Works

Under the editorials of an-Nachra (issued weekly from 1992 till 2004), the General gave speeches and held conferences all around the world to defend the Lebanese cause: texts that were learned by several academics, transmitted among themselves via Internet or reproduced in brochures to be distributed to the proponents in secret.

Here-below are only some of his most famous works:
- His speech at the Lebanese National Congress in Paris (June 11th, 1994);
- His message at the Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, convened by Pope John Paul II at the Vatican ( December 5th, 1995);
- His speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (May 20th, 1996);
- Conference in Australia: “Lebanon: Past, Present and Future” (March 12th, 1998);
- His speech at the Imperial College in London: “The Dialogue: Road to Salvation” (October 12th, 2000);
- His speech in Lyon: “10 Years of Peace without Peace” (February 3rd, 2001);
- His speech in Versailles (January 24th, 2002), Address at the Higher School of Economic and Commercial Sciences: “Stability in Lebanon and Peace in the Middle East” (March 7th, 2002);
- His address at the “Foundation for the Defense of Democracies” in Washington DC (March 7th, 2003);
- Conference at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris (June 5th, 2003);
- His testimony at the American Congress for the ratification of the law “The Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act” (September 18th, 2003);
- His call for the Lebanese National Dialogue (November 21st, 2004);
- His address at the Maison de la Recherche at the Sorbonne for “The Geopolitical Days in Lebanon at the Sorbonne” (April 7th, 2005);
- Conference at the National Press Club in Washington: “The New Lebanon: from Liberation to Reform” (November 22nd, 2005).

In 2007, the General published his first book: “Une Certaine Vision du Liban” (interviews with Frederic Domont, Fayard editions), in which he refers to the fate of the Land of the Cedars, the country that gives out a message of pluralism, freedom and dialogue, the country juggling between cultures and religions, at the heart of the Middle East overtaken by homogenization and wars from the time of Abraham, and a world that is crushed day and day out by the aftermath of ideologies, the“Clash of Civilizations”.