Riad as-Solh

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The members of al-Fatat at a resort near Damascus. Riad as-Solh is standing as the third person from the left

A statue of Riad as-Solh stands in Beirut's Downtown district

Riad as-Solh (1894 – July 17, 1951) (Arabic: رياض الصلح‎) was the first Prime Minister of Lebanon (1943–1945), after the country's independence. Like all of his successors as prime minister of Lebanon, he was a Sunni Muslim. He later served as prime minister of Lebanon again from December 14, 1946 to February 14, 1951. Several months after leaving office, he was assassinated in Amman, Jordan by member of the Syrian Nationalist Party.^[1] He was known as one of the most important personalities in Lebanon’s struggle for independence and as a person able to unify Lebanon’s various religious groups in the struggle for independence.

He was married to Fayza Al-Jabiri and had five daughters. His eldest daughter, Aliya born in 1935, continued in her father's path in the struggle for a free and secure Lebanon. Aliya propagated the rich cultural heritage of Lebanon abroad until her death in Paris on April 26, 2007.

Riad Beik had one son (Reda) who died as an infant. Alia died in 2007. His surviving daughters are:

Princess Lamia Solh, late husband was the present King of Morroco's uncle. Has two sons and one daughter. Mawlaya Hisham (educated in Princeton University and is known to be at odds with his cousin -The King- and Mawlaya Rashid.

Princess Mona Solh, formally married to Prince Tallal Bin Abdul Aziz. Mother of Prince Walid Bin Tallal of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid Bin Tallal of Saudi Arabia, mother of Reem Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Prince Walid Bin Tallal is recognized as one of the wealthiest

Mrs. Leila Solh Hamade, Appointed as First Female Minister in Omar Karami's government.

Mrs. Bahija Solh Assad, married to Saeed Al Assad. Former Lebanese Ambassador to Switzerland and former Member of Parliment. Has two sons and two daughters.

[edit] References

1. ^ Kamil Dib, "Warlords and Merchants, The Lebanese Business and Political Establishment", page 89

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