Elias Sarkis

Elias Sarkis served as the president of Lebanon from May 1976 to September 1982, during the tumultuous period of the Lebanese Civil War. He was elected to office amidst escalating sectarian violence between Maronite Christians and Muslims, a conflict that had intensified with the growing presence of Palestinian guerrillas and the rise of various militias.12

Sarkis's presidency was marked by attempts to negotiate a ceasefire and end the war. However, his efforts were significantly hampered by external interference from actors like Syria and Israel, who intervened in the conflict to support their respective allies. Internal power struggles within Lebanon's sectarian communities also undermined stable negotiations. Despite his calls for peace, the civil war continued, leading to widespread destruction and a breakdown of state institutions. Sarkis's term concluded as the country remained deeply fractured by internal conflict and foreign intervention.12