Hussein el-Husseini
Hussein el-Husseini | |
---|---|
حسين الحسيني | |
6th Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon | |
In office 16 October 1984 – 20 October 1992 | |
Preceded by | Kamel Asaad |
Succeeded by | Nabih Berri |
Personal details | |
Born | French Lebanon (present-day Lebanon) | 15 April 1937
Died | 11 January 2023 Beirut, Lebanon | (aged 85)
Political party | Amal Movement (until 1980) |
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Amal Movement |
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El-Husseini, recognized as the co-founder of both the Movement of the Deprived and its military wing, the Lebanese Resistance Regiments (collectively later known as the Amal Movement), is esteemed as one of the founding figures of the Lebanese resistance.[2][3]
Initially leading the political wing of Amal, he later succeeded Musa al-Sadr as the overall leader of the movement. However, he resigned from his leadership position in 1980, driven by his opposition to the Amal Movement's escalating involvement in the civil war.[4]
He was widely respected for his integrity and was considered to be a wise and fair leader who always prioritized the higher interests of his country.[5] His contributions to Lebanese politics and the upholding of the rule of law were widely recognized, and he was eulogized as "Lebanon's last hero" following his death.[6]
Early life and political career
Born on 15 April 1937 in
In 1974, he, along with Musa al-Sadr, founded the Movement of the Deprived (later known as the Amal Movement), which initially drew its membership from el-Husseini's electoral power base in the Beqaa region. He was the closest associate of al-Sadr in the leadership of Amal, serving as head of its political wing, as well as in the Supreme Islamic Shia Council, which he had become a founding member of in 1967.
In 1978, after al-Sadr's disappearance in
In October 1984, he was elected
In 1992, Berri was backed by the Syrians during
On 12 August 2008, in a speech during the vote of confidence for the
El-Husseini remained a strong advocate of democracy, civil society and
Death
On 11 January 2023, el-Husseini passed away.[7] He was buried in his hometown of Shmustar in a state funeral, with thousands of mourners, including much of the political class and cabinet, in attendance. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared a three-day national mourning period.
El-Husseini was eulogized and mourned by politicians from across the political spectrum.
Legacy
Nicknamed Abu t-Taif (Father of the Taif Agreement) or ʿArrab at-Taif (Godfather of the Taif Agreement) for his role in fathering the peace accords that ended the Lebanese Civil War, el-Husseini was strongly and actively opposed to Lebanon's sectarian political system, and was a leading critic of Lebanon's post-war Hariri-led governments' economic and fiscal policies that eventually led to the Lebanese liquidity crisis, which became apparent in 2019.[15][14] He enjoyed wide respect for his integrity and for being one of very few politicians in Lebanon not involved in the country's endemic corruption.[16]
Widely known as "the guardian of the Lebanese Constitution and the rule of law",[6] he was described as belonging "to that rare class of Lebanese political leaders who refused to safeguard their top positions by bloodying their hands" and as "one of the few Lebanese politicians who always refused Lebanon’s subordination to foreign powers".[17]
Lebanese statesman
Palestinian historian Tarif Khalidi wrote of him:
The “Sayyid” embodied in his person true patriotism, was a maker of his country’s constitution and loyal to it, well-versed in his knowledge of its laws and legislation, insightful into the higher interests of his country, majestic, dignified, wise, fair in presiding over his parliament, skilled in his speech and logic. Arab causes, especially Palestine, had always been very close to his heart.
Despite all of this, he was an aristocrat without bravado, with great humility and above doing harm. [He was a man] of dignity coupled with amiability, of sincerity to his friends, with kindness and endearing humor. He had a low, or rather, soft voice, and an amazing physiognomy that he undoubtedly inherited from his ancestor [the
Prophet Muhammad].[20]
Following his death, he was eulogized as "Lebanon's last hero"[6] and as a "champion of a Lebanese civil state - perhaps the last such champion Lebanon will know".[5]
See also
References
- ^ وفاة "عرّاب الطائف" الرئيس حسين الحسيني (in Arabic)
- ^ El-Husseini's 2008 resignation speech (Arabic)
- ^ El-Husseini: Resistance Is the Right and Duty of Every Lebanese (Arabic)
- ISBN 978-1558761155
- ^ a b "As Husseini leaves us, wrecked Lebanon has never needed him more". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Lebanon's last hero: The lion of Taif Hussein el-Husseini". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Former Parliament Speaker Hussein Husseini dies at 85". L'Orient Today. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ (in Arabic)Republic of Lebanon - House of Representatives History
- ^ "Former Speaker MP Hussein Husseini resigns from parliament". Now Lebanon. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
- ^ "Saniora Cabinet Wins Confidence, Husseini Resigns, Harb Attacks Police Oppression of the House". Naharnet. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
- Daily Star. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
- ^ The Civil Center for National Initiative A Civilized Step Towards Citizenship
- ^ "Lebanese Officials Remember Hussein Husseini's Wisdom, Moderate Stances". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Hussein Husseini, 'father' of pact that ended Lebanon's civil war, dies at 85". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Abouzeid, Rania (28 October 2021). "How Corruption Ruined Lebanon". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Father of peace deal that ended Lebanon's civil war dies". The New Arab. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Hussein el-Husseini, the 'Sayyed' who refused bloodshed". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- An Nahar. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "دَينٌ للرئيس الحسيني في عُنق طرابلس الفيحاء". Al Liwaa. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "رحيل رجل حكيم". Al Akhbar. Retrieved 19 January 2023.