Pierre Gemayel

Pierre Gemayel was a prominent Maronite Christian politician in Lebanon who founded the right-wing authoritarian youth movement known as the Phalange. He led the Phalange Party from 1937 to 1980, which became the political arm of the largest Christian community in Lebanon. Gemayel served in the Lebanese Parliament and held several Cabinet posts in the 1960s. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1964 and 1970. During the Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, Gemayel led the Phalangist militia and was a key figure in establishing a Christian enclave north of Beirut. His sons, Bashir and Amin Gemayel, also became significant political figures in Lebanon.12