Lebanon

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Lebanon

Constitution President Michel Suleiman Prime Minister Saad Hariri Current government Parliament Speaker Political parties Elections Governorates Districts Municipalities Foreign relations

Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view • talk • edit

Antoine Frangieh (1 September 1941 - 13 June 1978, better known by his diminutive, Tony, طوني فرنجية ) was a Lebanese politician and militia leader during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War.

Contents 1 Education and early political career 2 Civil war 3 Personal life 4 External links

[edit] Education and early political career

Frangieh was educated at the College Des Frères, first in Tripoli then in Beirut, the latter from 1958 to 1960. He was furthering his study before his death.

On 25 October 1970, he succeeded his father, Suleiman Frangieh, as a member of the Lebanese Parliament for Zgharta, following his father's election to the Presidency. He was also appointed Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in his father's government.

[edit] Civil war

In the early 1970s, when factions within Lebanon started to form militias, the Frangieh clan formed the Marada Brigade, also known as the Zghorta Liberation Army, under the command of Tony Frangieh. The Marada mainly operated out of Tripoli and northern Lebanon, the base of the Frangieh clan.

The Lebanese Civil War witnessed many shifting alliances where the allies of today became the enemies of tomorrow. One such falling out occurred between two of the leading Maronite clans, the Frangiehs and the Gemayels. The Frangiehs, who were close to Syria, were critical of Phalangist militia leader Bachir Gemayel's growing alliance with Israel. Militia from the Phalange and Marada also clashed over protection rackets.

This conflict led to the murder of Tony Frangieh, his wife, Vera el-Kordahi,and his four year old daughter Jihane, ( his son,Suleiman II was in Beirut during the murder) by Phalangist militiamen. On the morning of 13 June 1978 at 4am, a Phalangist squad led by Samir Geagea and Elie Hobeika attacked Tony Frangieh’s mansion in an attempt to capture Ehden, Tony Frangieh would be murdered after the assault. Approximately 10 Phalangists were captured and killed. Many versions tell the story of that morning. One of them is that Samir Geagea who was injured while fighting the Marada Brigade told Elie Hobeika (HK) to continue the operation. HK (known for his mafia like ways) is believed to have murdered Tony Frangieh later during the raid on the Frangieh mountain mansion. Another version states that Frangieh was killed in combat after he refused to hand over the Marada militiamen responsible for the murder of a Phalangist member.

The attempt to take control of the Marada Brigade failed.

Suleiman Frangieh never vowed revenge. As he stated in a documentary on a Lebanese political channel called 'OTV', "That was the past and it must be forgotten, I do not seek revenge because God is the only judge, thus their conscience will haunt them for the rest of their lives."

Many commentators consider the murder of Tony Frangieh to be one of the factors in the longevity of the Lebanese Civil War and as the starting point of a deep divide between Lebanese Christians.

[edit] Personal life

Frangieh had two children, Suleiman II and Jihane, with Vera el-Kordahi, whom he married in 1962. His son Suleiman first became a Minister of Public Health at the age of 22, and he recently held the ministry of Interior from 2004 to 2005). He is known as a part of Marada Brigade.

[edit] External links

• Martyrs of 13 June Ehden 1978