5 November 1989 Lebanese presidential election
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Member State of the Arab League |
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An indirect presidential election was held in the Parliament of Lebanon on 5 November 1989, resulting in Deputy René Moawad being elected President of the Lebanese Republic.
By
René Moawad, a deputy representing Zgharta in North Lebanon, was a politician known for his moderate views, and was endorsed by Syria with the promise of signing into law the
Results
Due to the ongoing Civil War, only 58 of the 72 deputies were present for the elections (the chamber was composed of 99 deputies, but as there had been no elections since 1970, there were only 72 MPs still alive). In the first round, a majority of two-thirds of present deputies was required; in the second round, however, only a simple majority was needed.[2]
The deputies met at the Qoleiat air base (now known as René Moawad Air Base) in North Lebanon - far from the capital Beirut where fighting was still taking place - as the unrecognized Prime Minister (and acting president) Michel Aoun was residing in the Baabda Presidential Palace and refused to recognize or allow the election to take place. The meeting was of questionable validity as General Aoun had dissolved the Chamber of Deputies the day prior and set general elections in January; thus, according to him, the Deputies no longer had a mandate.[3]
Candidate | First round | Second round | ||
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Votes | % | Votes | % | |
René Moawad | 35 | 48.6 | 52 | 72.2 |
Georges Saadeh | 16 | 22.2 | ||
Elias Hrawi | 5 | 6.9 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | – | 6 | – |
Total | 58 | 80.6 | 58 | 80.6 |
Eligible voters | 72 | 100 | 72 | 100 |
Source: The Monthly |
Aftermath
General Aoun refused to accept the results of the election and continued governing as the unrecognized Prime Minister. However, seventeen days after the elections, on Independence Day, a 250 kg
References
- ^ Rabbath, Edmond. "La Constitution libanaise. Origines, textes et commentaires". Beyrouth: Publications de l'Université Libanaise, 1982, p. 301.
- ^ Election of the Presidents of the Lebanese Republic The Monthly, 9 July 2014
- ^ Gen. Aoun dissolves parliament The Washington Post, 4 November 1989