Hrawi, Elias (1930–2006)

Lebanese Maronite Christian politician, president 1989–98. He implemented the 1989 Taif peace agreement, which he had helped to draw up, ending Lebanon's 14-year civil war, and which reduced the president's executive powers. His position was strengthened in 1990 when the Syrians, with whom he enjoyed good relations, put down a rebellion by the Christian militia leader General Michel Aoun. In 1991 a treaty was signed with Syria. In 1995 the term of the presidency (six years) was extended by a further three years to allow Hrawi to continue and provide stability while Prime Minister Rafik al- Hariri pressed ahead with economic reconstruction.

A Maronite Christian, he was born in Zahle in the Bekaa Valley, into an old landholding family. He established the country's first agricultural cooperative and, after success as an agricultural entrepreneur, was elected in 1972 as a deputy to the National Assembly. As public works minister 1980–82, he oversaw an ambitious road-building programme. In November 1989 he was elected by the parliament to succeed René Mouawad as president under the Lebanese constitutional arrangement of 1943 that provided for a Maronite Christian president and Sunni Muslim prime minister. Mouawad was assassinated after only 17 days in office.