Former Premier Rashid al-Solh Passes Away

Former Prime Minister Rashid al-Solh passed away on Friday evening.

Al-Solh, 88 at the time of his death, started his political career in 1964 when he was elected as a Beirut MP to parliament.

And in 1974, he was appointed by former President Suleiman Franjieh to form and head Lebanon's cabinet. But Solh resigned in May 1975 few weeks after the eruption of the Lebanese Civil War.

He was also named Minister of Interior in his own cabinet.

His second term as Premier came in May 1992 following the resignation of ex-PM Omar Karami's cabinet. Back then, late president Elias Hrawi tasked him with forming a cabinet that secures holding the first parliamentary elections after the war. The infamous vote was then boycotted by the main Christian political parties in the country.

Al-Solh's second term as Premier lasted for five months only.

The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Ouzai mosque in southern Beirut, and al-Solh will be laid to rest near the Imam al-Ouzai shrine in the region.

And condolences will be received before and after the funeral on Saturday at the former PM's house in Ain al-Tineh, and on Sunday and Monday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Rafik Hariri Hall in al-Amin mosque in downtown Beirut.

S.D.B.

Y.R.