The Republic, When it Speaks… Every Era Has Its Palace, and History Records and Judges!
Almassira- Najah Bou Monsef
From the Qantari to Sin el Fil, through Jounieh, to Beit ed-Dine in summer, the “Palace of the Republic” wandered for a long time. Each era had its own palace or “rented” one, even up until the 1960s, when the President of the Republic finally had a designated official residence. That residence was up in Baabda, on a beautiful green hill overlooking Beirut, the capital of Greater Lebanon… This is the story of the Lebanese Republic’s palaces, which echo through the walls and corridors, bearing witness to the eras of both great and minor statesmen, periods of prosperity and decay, golden ages and dark times, eras of independence and those of humiliation and subjugation… The palaces of our Republic watch, monitor, and history records and judges…
The presidential palace in Baabda was not the first “house of the republic,” nor was there one unified narrative for the palace in Lebanon, nor was there any specific article in the constitution designating the seat of the presidency. There is only one vague article that mentions “Beirut as the center of the government and the Parliament.” Since the time of independence, presidents have turned their homes into the headquarters of the republic, and some lived in “rented” houses, leading to the term “Palace of the Republic” being applied to the residence of the president.
Qantari… The Palace of Independence
Let’s return to the beginning, to the Qantari Palace, where Lebanon’s independence was born, a residence that served as the home of two presidential terms before it was bought by the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The story goes that the Qantari Palace was built in 1860 by Hanna Hnin, who married his only daughter to a wealthy businessman named Darwish Haddad, who thus became the owner. He later passed it on to his daughter in 1925, who was married to Fouad Khoury, brother of Sheikh Bishara Khoury.
In 1939, at his brother Fouad’s request, Sheikh Bishara Khoury moved into the house, staying there until 1952, during which time it became the “Presidential Palace” when he was elected president of Lebanon in 1943. Thus, the Qantari Palace became a presidential residence, with three spacious floors and wide halls, hosting unforgettable moments in the history of the Lebanese Republic. It was from this palace that Lebanon’s independence was declared after an invasion and arrest of Sheikh Bishara, and how the palace turned into a political, media, and popular center after his detention.
The Palace of Charm and the Princess Light Up “Qantari”
Yes, it was the “white revolution” that made Camille Chamoun the president, succeeding Bishara Khoury, choosing Qantari Palace as the site of his presidency until 1958, opening a new era like no other.
After being a palace for independence, Qantari also hosted a golden era, whose stories still resonate in the beautiful times created by the “tiger” and the elegance of the “princess,” Mrs. Zalfa. Together, they ruled a palace and a country, aspiring to make it a kingdom of dreams… Glory, prosperity, lights, arts, culture, beauty, abundance, tourism, industry, and investments… and they achieved all they wanted.
In that palace, which launched the Baalbek International Festival, Mrs. Zalfa transformed the first floor into a workshop for folk clothing, providing for the Baalbek festivals and Lebanese nights, and even sewing them herself. When the 1958 revolution erupted, fearing the palace might be targeted, she had the folk clothes secretly transported to a safer place, and it was rumored that President Chamoun had fled the palace.
Under Chamoun’s charismatic leadership, the palace turned into a grand reception hall for kings and presidents from across the Arab world and beyond, from King Saud of Saudi Arabia to the Shah of Iran, Queen Noor of Jordan, and many others, all in formal attire, while the ladies of high society shone in beautiful dresses and jewelry. All eyes were on the couple, him in his elegant English suit, and her as the captivating first lady.
The grandeur at Qantari did not make President Chamoun forget that the time had come for the Republic to have its own palace, so he decided to purchase a small plot of land in Baabda, about 50,000 square meters, and laid the foundation for the new presidential palace in 1956. However, he was unable to oversee its construction due to the popular change against him in 1958, leading to his resignation and the move of the presidency to the Qantari Palace.
Shehab ” in “The Modest Palace”
When General Fouad Shehab assumed the presidency, his first decision was not to move to the Qantari Palace, preferring instead to run the presidency from a rented “villa” in Zouk Mikhael. During this time, the construction of the Baabda Palace was halted, only to resume during the term of President Charles Helou.
Charles Helou’s Term… A Real Palace for the Republic
In 1964, President Charles Helou moved the presidency to a rented palace in Sin el Fil known as the “Noura Palace,” and began the work of building the new presidential palace in Baabda, which would be completed in 1969. Thus, Lebanon finally had a permanent official presidential residence.
Franjieh’s Era… Targeting the Palace and the Republic
In 1970, when Sleiman Franjieh was elected president, Lebanon entered a new era full of hope and prosperity, but soon after, Lebanon descended into a devastating civil war in 1975. Despite the conflict, the Qantari Palace remained a significant political and symbolic center.
Sarkis’s Era… The Sad Palace
During President Elias Sarkis’s term, the Qantari Palace suffered damage, and Sarkis worked to maintain neutrality amid Lebanon’s civil war. The palace remained under siege, with the Lebanese president and his family being forced to live in temporary homes while the country’s political situation deteriorated.
Lahoud’s Era… The General of the Palace
Emile Lahoud, who followed Sarkis, moved into a renovated Qantari Palace, which remained under the influence of Syrian control, as the country was still under Syrian dominance at the time.
Suleiman’s Era… Neutrality and New Beginnings
Finally, when Michel Suleiman became president in 2008, the palace saw a new beginning, marked by his efforts to ensure neutrality and national reconciliation following Lebanon’s political crisis.
This is the story of the palaces of the Lebanese Republic, each bearing witness to the hopes, challenges, and struggles of the nation’s leaders and people throughout history.