Bashir Gemayel
1947 - 1982
Bashir Gemayel was born in "Beirut", on November 10, 1947. He was the
youngest of a family of six children: four girls and two boys. His
home-town was "Bikfaya". His father was "Pierre Gemayel", leader of the
"Kataeb".
He completed his primary and intermediate studies at "Notre-Dame de
Jamhour" and his secondary studies at the "Lebanese Modern Institute".
In 1962, he joined the "Kataeb" and became a member in the "Kataeb
Student Section".
In 1968, he participated in a student colloquium organized by the
newspaper "Orient", following the events which occurred in the
universities between the leftist students supporting Palestinians in
Lebanon and Lebanese and nationalist students.
In 1970, Palestinian militants kidnapped him from "Dekweneh" to the "Tal
el-Zaatar" camp and released him after 8 hours. This incident had an
impact on his subsequent political positions.
He paid a visit to "Egypt" in response to an invitation addressed to him
by "Khaled Abdul-Nasser", the son of President "Jamal Abdul-Nasser",
with whom he met, and he was impressed by his personality.
He received a degree in Law (1971) and a degree in Political Science
(1973) from the "Saint Joseph University" in Beirut.
During the course of his university studies, he taught for three years
(1968 - 1971) Civil Education at the intermediate and secondary levels
in the "Lebanese Modern Institute".
In 1971, he was appointed inspector in the "Kataeb Regular Forces",
which was the para-military branch of the "Kataeb" party. He traveled
the same year to "Dallas" and "Texas" to take a law course; he obtained
in 1972 a degree from the "American" and "International Law Academy".
He joined the bar association and opened an office in "Hamra"
(1972-1975).
In 1973, he was appointed vice-president of the "Kataeb" in "Achrafieh".
In 1974, he founded the B.G. squad, the core of the "Lebanese Forces",
which was formed by university students in order to face the Palestinian
military danger, reflected at that time by armed barricades, kidnapping
and attacks on citizens.
In 1976, he was appointed vice-president of the "Kataeb Military
Council", then, president of the "Military Council" following the death
of "William Hawi" in the "Tal el-Zaater" battle. During the same year,
he met the "Druze" leader, "Kamal Jumblat", in order to unify the
Lebanese ranks against the spread of the "Syrian Army" in Lebanon.
During the same year, he formed the unified "Lebanese Forces" and headed
its leadership council.
In 1977, he married "Solange Toutoungi".
In 1978, the "Syrian Army" arrested him in "Sassine" square and held him
for a short period. In the same year, his daughter "Maya" was born. He
led the 100 days war against the "Syrian Forces" which bombarded the two
sectors of "Achrafieh" and
"Ain Al-Rummaneh".
In 1980, his daughter "Maya" was killed by a car bomb aimed at him. His
daughter "Youmna" was born later. During the same year, he unified the
military forces in the Eastern sector and put an end to the military
confusion in this region. He became a member in the "Lebanese Front"
which represented at that time the highest political power in the
Eastern sector.
In 1981, he led the battle of "Zahleh", which was surrounded by the
Syrian army in the "Bekaa Valley". He paid his most important visit to
the "United States", to explain the Lebanese cause.
In 1982, he organized the first international conference of solidarity
with Lebanon. During the same year, his son "Nadim" was born. He became
a member in the "National Salvation Front", which was founded by
president "Elias Sarkis", which included many Lebanese Christian and
Muslim leaders.
Before he was elected president of the "Lebanese Republic", he traveled
to "Taef" in "Saudi Arabia" where he met with the foreign ministers of
the "Arab countries". The Lebanese parliament elected him president of
the "Lebanese Republic" on August 23, 1982. He was killed along with
many of his companions in the explosion of the "Kataeb" headquarters in
the "Achrafieh" sector on September 14, 1982.
Institutions
founded by Bashir Gemayel
"Al-Ashbal": its first camp was organized under the patronage of sheikh
"Bashir" in "Jbeil" scout camping grounds (1975).
"Popular Committees": launched by sheikh "Bashir" in 1976, their aim is
the people’s participation in the organization of daily life.
"Hamat Airport": created by sheikh "Bashir" in 1976 for special tourist
trips and for the export of agricultural products....
"Radio Free Lebanon" : founded by sheikh "Bashir" in 1978 to explain to
the world the reality of the Lebanese cause.
"Radio 102": out of sheikh "Bashir"’s desire for a commercial station in
order to alleviate the burden of the war (1979).
"Delta Computer": founded in 1979 as a specialized information body
related to all components of social organization.
"Help Lebanon": founded to take care of children and alleviate the
consequences of the war.
"Lebanese Forces" television (LBC): launched in 1980 as a national,
educational, cultural and non-commercial television.
"Gamma Group": an institution including specialists to plan the building
of a modern state in all of its sectors (1982).
"The Lebanese Cultural Association": created in 1982 to deal with
intellectual, literature and artistic affairs as well as Lebanese
civilization.
"Ashrafié Merchants Committee": created in 1982 to revive the economy
and trade and organize the market.
"Ashrafié Festival Committee": created in 1982 to organize fairs and
exhibitions and to encourage artistic activities.
