# Fouad Chehab

_Third president of Lebanon (1902-1973)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/fouad-chehab
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Fouad Abdallah Chehab (Arabic: فُؤَاد عَبْد الله شِهَاب / ALA-LC: Fuʼād ʻAbd Allāh Shihāb; 19 March 1902 – 25 April 1973) was a Lebanese general and statesman who served as president of Lebanon from 1958 to 1964. He is considered to be the founder of the Lebanese Army after Lebanon gained independence from France, and became its first commander in 1946.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 March 1902 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Beirut ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P19))
- **Died:** 25 April 1973 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P570))
- **Place of death:** Beirut ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Lebanon ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; military personnel ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P106))
- **Political party:** independent politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P102))
- **Positions held:** President of Lebanon (23 September 1958 – 22 September 1964); Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407#P39))

## About

Born in Ghazir to a family that traced its origins to nobility, Chehab joined the French Army in 1919. He was appointed Prime Minister of Lebanon by the outgoing president Bechara El Khoury, who resigned due to widespread demonstrations against his administration, and tasked Chehab with the role of organizing the next presidential election, in which Camille Chamoun was elected.

During the 1958 Lebanon crisis between Chamoun and Muslim leaders, he prevented the army from siding with the government or the opposition, and refused any request to do so. This decision helped keep the army unified and limited losses. He was elected President of Lebanon in the 1958 election, being considered a "consensus option" both internationally and locally, and succeeded Chamoun.

As President, Chehab is credited for introducing reforms and social development projects and building modern state institutions. However, his rule was described as autocratic, and saw an increase in the role of military and intelligence in politics. His political approaches, known as "Chehabism" influenced later presidents Charles Helou and Élias Serkis. He died in 1973, two years before the civil war.

## Questions

**When was Fouad Chehab born?**  
Fouad Chehab was born on 19 March 1902 in Beirut.

**What positions has Fouad Chehab held?**  
Positions held by Fouad Chehab include: President of Lebanon (1958–1964); Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

## Related

- [Michel Aoun](https://diginpl.com/people/michel-aoun)
- [Michel Suleiman](https://diginpl.com/people/michel-suleiman)
- [Joseph Aoun](https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-aoun)
- [Émile Lahoud](https://diginpl.com/people/emile-lahoud)
- [Fouad Siniora](https://diginpl.com/people/fouad-siniora)
- [Tammam Salam](https://diginpl.com/people/tammam-salam)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Fouad Chehab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouad_Chehab) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q449407](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449407) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Fouad Chehab 34.jpg by Fouad Chehab Foundation (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fouad_Chehab_34.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Fouad Chehab, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Fouad Chehab 34.jpg — Fouad Chehab Foundation, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Fouad Chehab". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/fouad-chehab. Retrieved 7 November 2026.