Tony Frangieh
Antoine Frangieh (
1 September 1939 -
13 June 1978, better known by his diminutive,
Tony, طوني فرنجيه ) was a
Lebanese politician and militia leader during the early years of the
Lebanese Civil War.
Tony Frangieh, The Marada Commander. Courtesy of http:/www.elmarada.com
Frangieh was educated at the
College Des Frères, first in
Tripoli then in
Beirut, the latter from
1958 to
1960. He was furthering his study before his death.
On
25 October 1970, he succeeded his father,
Suleiman Frangieh, as a member of the
Lebanese Parliament for
Zgharta, following his father's election to the Presidency. He was also appointed Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in his father's government.
In the early
1970s, when factions within Lebanon started to form militias, the Frangieh clan formed the
Marada Brigade, also known as the
Zghorta Liberation Army, under the command of Tony Frangieh. The Marada mainly operated out of
Tripoli and northern Lebanon, the base of the
Frangieh clan.
The Lebanese Civil War witnessed many shifting alliances where the allies of today became the enemies of tomorrow. One such falling out occurred between two of the leading
Maronite clans, the Frangiehs and the
Gemayels. The Frangiehs, who were close to
Syria, were critical of
Phalangist militia leader
Bachir Gemayel's growing alliance with
Israel. Militia from the Phalange and Marada also clashed over protection rackets.
This conflict led to the murder of Tony Frangieh by Phalangist militiamen. Bachir Gemayel himself was suspected by some of having ordered the killing. The rumour persists, although it has never been proved. On the morning of
13 June 1978 at 4am, a Phalangist squad led by
Samir Geagea and
Elie Hobeika attacked Tony Frangieh's mansion in an attempted to capture Ehden, they killed 35 locals including the elderly, women, men and children who were killed randomly when seen on the street. Approximately 10 Phalangists were captured and killed. According to his father, the Phalangist gunmen then forced Tony Frangieh and his young wife to watch the shooting of their infant daughter Jihane, then made him watch the murder of his wife, before killing him. However the LF deny killing anyone.
It was a failed attempt in taking over the
Marada Brigade.
Suleiman Frangieh vowed revenge and subsequently sought an alliance with some of his former enemies, including
Druze chieftain
Walid Jumblatt and former
Prime Minister Rashid Karami. The three formed the pro-Syrian
National Salvation Front. Within a few months Bashir Germayel's daughter and his bodyguards were killed and then in 1982 Bashir himself was killed in a huge explosion.
The murder of Tony Frangieh was one of the factors which many commentators blame for the longevity of Lebanon's war and was the start of strong division between christians.
Frangieh had two children,
Suleiman II and
Jihane, with
Vera el-Kordahi, whom he married in
1962. His son Suleiman first became a Minister of Public Health at the age of 22, and he recently held the ministry of Interior from
2004 to
2005). He is known as a staunch supporter of Syria, and despite his defeat in the
general election of
2005, may run for the Presidency in
2007.
*
Martyrs of 13 June Ehden 1978
