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Executive Branch Reform: Taif Accord

Implementations

Executive Branch Reform – 1989

As part of the political reform, Lebanon’s parliament elected Rene Moawad, 64, a longtime Christian politician and who was strongly backed by Syria. He received 52 of 58 votes. There were only 58 survivors of the 99-member parliament elected in 1972 (Soruce: President Elected In Lebanon; Aoun Rejects Decision; New Leader Appeals to Army, But Backing Remains Uncertain, The Washington Post, November 6, 1989). Immediately after the election of the president, Moslem acting Prime Minister Selim Hoss announced the resignation of his government. But, president Moawad designated Selim Hoss as prime minister on 13 November 1989. The reform stripped the Christian president of some power to give the prime minister and Parliament speaker, both Moslems, a broader role.[fn]”Lebanon elects new president,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 6, 1989.[/efn_note]

Newly elected President Rene Moawad was assassinated on November 22, 1989. Two days after Moawad was killed, Lebanese parliament elected a moderate Maronite Christian Elias Hrawi as Lebanon’s new president. His presidency was supported by Syria.[fn]”Deputies Elect New President In Lebanon; Leader Pledges to Pursue Efforts to End Civil War,” The Washington Post, November 25, 1989.[/efn_note] After the election, president Hrawi designated Selim Hoss, a Sunni Moslem, as prime minister.

On 28 November 1989, the government appointed Adm. Emile Lahoud as the country’s chief of armed forces replacing Gen. Aoun.[fn]”Lebanon’s Cabinet Appoints New Army Commander,” Xinhua General News Service, November 28, 1989.[/efn_note] This was part of the initiatives to reform the executive branch of the government and give more power to the cabinet.