Here is a brief Bio of Army chief General Michel Suleiman ( pictured with Lahoud)
Name — Michel Suleiman.
Age and date of Birth - 59; Nov. 21, 1948.
Education — Graduated from Lebanon's military academy as second lieutenant, 1970; holds bachelor of arts degree in political and administrative sciences from Lebanese University.
Experience — Commander of armed forces, 1998-present; commander of 6th Infantry Brigade, 1996-98; commander of 11th Infantry Brigade, 1993-96; army staff secretary-general, 1991-93; chief of intelligence branch, 1990-91.
Accomplishments — Protected mass anti-Syria demonstrations and counter-protests; squashed sectarian violence; deployed army in Hezbollah strongholds of southern Lebanon for first time in decades; crushed rebellion by Islamic extremists in northern Lebanon.
Family — Married to Wafaa Suleiman; three children.
Comments about General Suleiman
Many March 14 supporters were disappointed with March 14 alliance for backing the election of the General for the following reasons:
1- General Suleiman was appointed by the Syrians as commander of the Lebanese Army in 1998.
2- General Suleiman was the head of the army when many Lebanese were tortured by the Army to “confess” whatever the army wanted
3- General Suleiman was the head of the army when many Lebanese were arrested based on orders from Syria on August 7, 2001
4- His brother in law, Gebran Kuriyyeh was the official spokesman of Hafez Assad, father of the current Syrian president Basher Assad.
5- General Suleiman defended Syrian connection with Fatah al Islam , claiming that the terrorist organization was part of Al Qaida, this is despite the confessions of the jailed Fatah al Islam terrorists about their links to Syria.
6- General Suleiman praised Hezbollah for their alleged victory during the summer war with Israel , despite the fact that Hezbollah criticized the army during the war which left Lebanon in ruins with over 1200 dead , mainly civilians .
On the other hand the March 14 supporters expressed preference for Suleiman over general Michel Aoun, who is generally despised by them for allying himself with Hezbollah . They also all credit Suleiman with the victory over the Fatah al Islam terrorists.
March 14 supporters prefer MP Boutros Harb and former MP Nassib Lahoud, hafez, bashar assad, syria