August 1982 Lebanese presidential election

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August 1982 Lebanese presidential election

During Lebanon’s civil war, the president was chosen indirectly by the Parliament. On 23 August 1982, the Parliament met to elect the president. The presidency is traditionally held by a Maronite Christian, and the election required a two-thirds majority in the first round (62 votes of 92). If no one won in the first round, a second round would be decided by an absolute majority of the deputies present.

Who won
- Bachir Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb Party and head of the Lebanese Forces, won the presidency after a second round.
- He was supported by Saudi Arabia and the Arab League. Pro-Syrian MPs boycotted, helping Gemayel secure the post.
- In the first round, Gemayel received 58 votes (about 63%) with 1 vote for Raymond Edde and 3 blank ballots. In the second round, Gemayel received 57 votes (about 62%) out of 67 votes cast, and he was elected President of Lebanon.

Aftermath
- Gemayel’s election came as fighting continued in Beirut and across Lebanon. On 25 August, International Separation Forces (mainly American, French, and Italian) deployed to help separate warring factions.
- On 30 August, Yasser Arafat left Beirut for Athens.
- In early September, there were key developments: Gemayel met with U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger; West Beirut and several blocked routes were opened; the Lebanese Army moved into areas it had not controlled since 1973; the seaport and markets began to reopen.
- On 14 September 1982, Gemayel was assassinated in Beirut by Habib Shartouni, an act ordered by Syria, which dramatically affected Lebanon’s already fragile situation.

Result
- Bachir Gemayel became the 7th President of Lebanon, a position determined by Lebanon’s constitutional rules and the ongoing civil conflict. His presidency was short-lived, occurring amid intense internal divisions and foreign involvement.