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Conflict Incident Report

Elias Sarkis elected president

Associated Timeline/Case: 
The Two-Year War | February, 1975 to December, 1976
Date of incident: 
May 8, 1976
Actors/Parties Involved: 
National Movement (NM)

On May 8, 1976, Elias Sarkis, the 52-year-old Central Bank governor, was elected president of the country. Kamal Jumblatt, Saeb Salam, and Raymond Edde refused to attend Parliament. The NM, headed by Jumblatt, opposed this Syrian-mediated presidential election. This opposition translated into armed clashes in Beirut and Tripoli, and was accompanied by targeted assassinations and assassination attempts.

Primary category: 
Clashes/Armed Conflict