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Fuad Chehab (1902 - April 25, 1973) (also Fouad) was a Lebanese general, and President of Lebanon from 1958 to 1964.
As commander of the Lebanese Army, Chehab was famous for his decision to remain neutral during the uprising in 1952 against president Bishara Khouri, and again in 1958 during the uprising against Camille Chamoun. The army was ordered to try to lower the tension level in the nation, and prevent both the opposition and the government partisans from taking places of importance, such as airports and government buildings.
Chehab was widely hailed as a force for stability and healing between pro and anti-government forces when he was elected president after the resignation of Camille Chamoun, famously proclaiming that the "revolution has no winners and no losers".
Chehab's rule was a delicate balancing act, trying to maintain peace between the nation's Christian and Muslim population. To this end, he kept the portfolios of Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Defense, for himself. He is often credited with reforms to create a modern administration in the nation, placing him against the traditional feudal, religious, and clan based values of the nation.
In 1960, seeing that the country had been stabilized, Chehab offered to resign. However, due to intense public pressure, he was persuaded to remain in office.
In 1964, despite pleas to amend the constitution to allow him to run for another term, Chehab decided to resign.
Fuad Chehab died in Beirut in 1973 at the age of 71.
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