Jean Kahwaji

Jean Kahwaji (Arabic pronunciation: [ʤaːn qah'waʤiː]; Arabic: جان قهوجي‎) is a former Lebanese military officer and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces from 2008 to 2017.

Jean Kahwaji
جان قهوجي
Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
In office 30 August 2008 – 8 March 2017
President	Michel Suleiman Michel Aoun
Preceded by	Michel Suleiman
Succeeded by	Joseph Aoun
Personal details
Born	23 September 1953 Ain Ebel, Nabatiye, Lebanon
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Marleine Sfeir
Alma mater	Lebanese Army Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance	Lebanon
Branch/service	Lebanese Army
Years of service	1973–2017
Rank	General

Career

Kahwaji joined the Lebanese army in 1973. He trained abroad, especially in the United States and Italy. He also underwent anti-terrorism training in Germany in 2006, as well as in Italy. He headed the army's 12th Infantry Brigade since 2002.. He also went to the Swedish military school in Boden Garrison in Sweden for terrain warfare during the 1990s.

On 30 August 2008, the Lebanese government appointed Brigadier-General Jean Kahwaji to be chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, replacing Michel Suleiman,[1] who became President of Lebanon in May 2008. He is the 13th chief officer in all of the army's 63-year history.[2]

Personal life

Jean Kahwaji is married to Marleine Sfeir. They have three children: Jad, Joanna and Joe. He is a Maronite Christian.[3]

See also

• Lebanese Armed Forces
• Lebanese Civil War
• 2nd Infantry Brigade (Lebanon)
• 12th Infantry Brigade (Lebanon)

References

1. Jane's intelligence digest: the global early-warning service. Jane's Information Group. 2009-05-01.
2. "Army Commander Jean Kahwaji". NOW. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
3. "Exclusive: Lebanon army chief sees growing risk from Syrian camps". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2017.