# Elias Hrawi > 10th President of Lebanon (1926-2006) **Wikidata**: [Q118272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118272) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Hrawi) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elias-hrawi ## Summary Elias Hrawi (1926-2006) was the 10th President of Lebanon, serving from 1989 to 1998. A lawyer by profession and politician by career, Hrawi led Lebanon during the final years of the Lebanese Civil War and the immediate postwar reconstruction period, overseeing the Ta'if Agreement that ended the conflict. He held Lebanese citizenship and was educated at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, one of Lebanon's most prestigious private Catholic institutions. ## Biography - **Born:** September 4, 1926 - **Died:** July 7, 2006 - **Nationality:** Lebanon - **Education:** Saint Joseph University of Beirut (private Catholic research university founded in 1875) - **Known for:** Serving as the 10th President of Lebanon; negotiating and implementing the Ta'if Agreement that ended the Lebanese Civil War - **Employer(s):** Republic of Lebanon (presidency) - **Field(s):** Politics, Law ## Contributions As President of Lebanon (1989-1998), Elias Hrawi's primary contribution was the successful negotiation and implementation of the Ta'if Agreement in 1989, which ended the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). This agreement fundamentally restructured Lebanon's political system by redistributing power between the country's various religious communities, particularly increasing the powers of the Prime Minister relative to the President. Hrawi also oversaw the difficult process of postwar reconstruction and national reconciliation during a period of significant political instability. His legal background informed his approach to governance and constitutional reform during his nine-year presidency. ## FAQs **What was Elias Hrawi's profession before becoming President?** Elias Hrawi was a lawyer by profession, having studied at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, one of Lebanon's oldest and most prestigious universities. **What was the Ta'if Agreement?** The Ta'if Agreement was a national reconciliation pact signed in 1989 that ended the Lebanese Civil War. It restructured Lebanon's power-sharing system between Muslims and Christians and laid the groundwork for postwar reconstruction. **How long did Elias Hrawi serve as President?** Hrawi served as Lebanon's 10th President from 1989 to 1998, a tenure of nine years spanning the critical postwar reconstruction period. **What awards did Elias Hrawi receive?** Hrawi received the Order of Merit (a Lebanese order established in 1922) and was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. **Where was Elias Hrawi educated?** He was educated at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, a private Catholic research university founded in 1875. ## Why They Matter Elias Hrawi matters historically because he guided Lebanon through one of the most tumultuous periods in the nation's modern history. As president during the final year of the Lebanese Civil War and the subsequent reconstruction era, his negotiation of the Ta'if Agreement represented a turning point that allowed Lebanon to begin the long process of healing and rebuilding. Without his role in brokered peace, Lebanon's postwar recovery would have been significantly delayed. His legal training proved instrumental in navigating the complex constitutional reforms required by the Ta'if Agreement, which fundamentally restructured Lebanon's confessional power-sharing system. Hrawi's presidency demonstrated the importance of compromise and dialogue in resolving sectarian conflicts, serving as a model for postwar reconciliation efforts in the region. ## Notable For - 10th President of Lebanon (1989-1998) - Negotiator and signatory of the Ta'if Agreement (1989) that ended the Lebanese Civil War - Lawyer by profession, educated at Saint Joseph University of Beirut - Recipient of the Order of Merit (Lebanon) - Recipient of the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Led Lebanon through postwar reconstruction (1990-1998) ## Body ### Early Life and Education Elias Hrawi was born on September 4, 1926, in Lebanon. He pursued higher education at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, a prestigious private Catholic research university established in 1875. This institution, located in Beirut, is one of Lebanon's oldest universities and has produced numerous prominent political, legal, and business leaders. His education at Saint Joseph University provided him with the legal training that would define his professional career before entering politics. ### Professional Career Before ascending to the presidency, Elias Hrawi practiced law as a lawyer. The legal profession in Lebanon is a respected occupation classified under ISCO-08 code 2611, and Hrawi's training in this field equipped him with the analytical and negotiation skills that would prove crucial during his political career. His background as a lawyer was particularly valuable during the Ta'if Agreement negotiations, where precise legal drafting and understanding of constitutional principles were essential. ### Presidency of Lebanon Hrawi served as the 10th President of Lebanon from 1989 to 1998, a period spanning nine years. His presidency coincided with the final stages and immediate aftermath of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), one of the most devastating conflicts in Lebanon's modern history. The civil war involved sectarian conflicts between various Lebanese factions, as well as foreign interventions from Syria and Israel. The centerpiece of Hrawi's presidency was the Ta'if Agreement of 1989, a national reconciliation pact that he helped negotiate and implement. This agreement fundamentally restructured Lebanon's political system, which had been governed by the National Pact of 1943. The Ta'if Agreement adjusted the power-sharing formula between Lebanon's religious communities, notably increasing the authority of the Prime Minister (a position held by a Sunni Muslim) while reducing some of the President's (traditionally a Maronite Christian) powers. The agreement also called for the disbandment of Lebanese militia groups and the extension of Lebanese government control over all territory. During his presidency, Hrawi oversaw the difficult process of postwar reconstruction. Lebanon faced enormous challenges including destroyed infrastructure, displaced populations, and deep sectarian divisions. His leadership during this period was critical in establishing the foundation for Lebanon's eventual recovery, though the country would face additional political and economic challenges in subsequent decades. ### Awards and Recognition Elias Hrawi received several honors for his service to Lebanon. He was awarded the Order of Merit (Order of the Cedar), a Lebanese order of chivalry established on January 16, 1922. He also received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, reflecting his international recognition and diplomatic standing. ### Personal Life and Legacy Hrawi passed away on July 7, 2006, at the age of 79. His death occurred during a period of significant political tension in Lebanon, roughly a year after the 2006 Lebanon War with Israel. His presidency is remembered as a critical transitional period in Lebanese history, during which the country moved from civil war toward reconstruction and relative stability. The Ta'if Agreement remains a foundational document in Lebanon's constitutional framework, though its implementation has continued to be a subject of political debate in the decades since Hrawi's presidency. ### Historical Context Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic, is a sovereign state located in West Asia along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The country gained independence from France on November 22, 1943, and established a unique confessional political system designed to balance power among the country's diverse religious communities. Lebanon's modern history has been marked by periods of stability and prosperity, as well as devastating conflicts including the civil war (1975-1990) and subsequent political crises. Hrawi's role in ending the civil war and initiating reconstruction represented one of the most significant contributions to Lebanese statehood in the post-independence era. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Proleksis Encyclopedia 3. [Source](http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/July/middleeast_July127.xml§ion=middleeast&col=) 4. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/273645/Elias-Hrawi) 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013