Camille Chamoun
Chamoun, Camille
Born 1900 in Deir el Qamer. Lebanese statesman and political figure.
Chamoun received a law degree in 1924. He held various government posts during the 1930’s and 1940’s, and from 1952 to 1958 he was president of Lebanon. As president, Chamoun carried out a policy of rapprochement with the imperialist powers. He was forced to resign in September 1958 as a result of a popular uprising.
In 1958, Chamoun founded the National Liberal Party, the party of the reactionary Maronite bourgeoisie, landowners, and clergy, and became its chairman. He was a leader of the reactionary forces of the right during the Lebanese civil war of 1975–76.