Rashid al-Sulh

1926 -

Lebanese politician; prime minister, 1974 - 1975 and 1992.

Rashid al-Sulh (also Solh), born into a minor branch of the prestigious Sunni Sulh family, was brought up in the house of former prime minister Sami al-Sulh. After studying at the College of the Christian Brothers and al-Maqasid College, he received his LL.B. from Saint Joseph University in Beirut and became a lawyer and a judge. Elected deputy for Beirut in 1964 and 1972, he inherited the political mantle of Sami al-Sulh following the latter's death in 1968. Considered a moderate among Sunni leaders in the 1970s, Sulh nevertheless developed a reputation as a champion of the working class and maintained a close relationship with Kamal Jumblatt. While still a relative newcomer among Sunni political bosses, he was chosen as prime minister by President Sulayman Franjiyya in October 1974; he held the premiership until May 1975, when he resigned. He thus presided over the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, which he was unable to prevent or stop. Before stepping down, Sulh denounced the inertia of Lebanon's society and the political and administrative corruption and nepotism that, he claimed, had thwarted the implementation of his reforms. He warned that unless the entire political system was overhauled, the country was headed toward political chaos and disintegration.

In May 1992, Sulh became prime minister again, following the demonstrations and riots that brought down the government of Umar Karami. He held the position until October, when he was replaced by Rafiq Hariri. During his short tenure, he was frequently criticized for subservience to Syria. In particular, his insistence on proceeding with parliamentary elections in the summer of 1992 alienated many Lebanese, who opposed the timing of these elections. Beirut's electorate severely punished him for this and other decisions that were seen as bowing to Syria's wishes. The electoral list he headed was soundly defeated by that led by Salim al-Hoss. Although he managed to win a seat in parliament, Sulh received the fewest votes (11,428) of any Sunni elected, and no other Sunni on his list was elected (three Armenian Orthodox candidates and one Armenian Catholic were).

Bibliography

Johnson, Michael. Class and Client in Beirut: The Sunni MuslimCommunity and the Lebanese State, 1840 - 1985. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Ithaca Press, 1986.

— GUILAIN P. DENOEUX
UPDATED BY MICHAEL R. FISCHBACH