Takieddin el-Solh

Who was Takieddin el-Solh?

Takieddin el-Solh was a Lebanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1973 to 1974, and again briefly in 1980.

El-Solh, a Sunni Muslim, was a legislator representing the Beqaa Valley from 1957-1960 and 1964-68. From 1964-65, he was Minister of the Interior in the Government of Hussein al-Oweini. In 1973, President Suleiman Frangieh named him Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. He served as Prime Minister until 1974, when he was succeeded by Rachid Solh. In July 1980, President Elias Sarkis asked el-Solh to form a government, but he was unable to do so and resigned in October.

His wife was Fadwa Barazi El-Solh.

Prime Minister Takieddin was known for wearing the tarboush and was a man of a great deal of intellect and charisma and was considered amongst one of the best Prime Ministers. He was faced with extensive objection by the Syrians and was told to leave Lebanon. He spent his last days in Paris.