Dean of Journalists and Veteran Politician Ghassan Tueni Dies
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The dean of Lebanese journalists Ghassan Tueni, who is the honorary president and former chairman of the board of directors of An Nahar newspaper, passed away at dawn Friday. He was 86.
He had been hospitalized for the past three to four weeks.
Tueni has had a long career as a journalist, politician, diplomat, and educator.
He was born in 1926. He studied at the American University of Beirut and went for further studies in the U.S. But he returned to Beirut after his Masters studies in political science at Harvard University following the sudden death of his father Gebran in 1947.
He took over the newspaper that his father had founded and then served as editor-in-chief and editor-publisher for more than half a century, from 1948 until 1999. In 2003 he once again resumed his duties as editor-in-chief.
He has received an honorary doctoral degree from his first Alma Mater, the American University of Beirut.
Ghassan Tueni was elected a lawmaker in 1951 and became deputy speaker from 1953 to 1957, and member of the Lebanese U.N. delegation in 1957. He later served as deputy prime minister, as head of several ministries, personal advisers of presidents, and as Lebanon's U.N. ambassador.
In 1970-71 he was deputy prime minister and minister of information and national education. From 1975 to 1977 he was minister of tourism, social affairs, industry, labor and information.
As Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations between 1977 and 1982 at height of the civil war, he recalls "yelling, literally yelling, in a Security Council meeting, 'Let my people live!' and proclaiming before the General Assembly, 'My country is not for hire nor for sale!'"
Tueni’s son Gebran, also a former lawmaker, was assassinated in 2005. He was among the series of politicians and journalists who were targeted following ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination.
Gebran’s death in a car bomb explosion dealt Ghassan Tueni a severe blow since he had already lost his wife poet Nadia Hamadeh in 1983, his daughter Nayla at a very young age and his youngest son, Makram, who died in a car crash in 1987.
He became a lawmaker again between 2006 and 2009 after his son’s seat was vacated by the assassination.
Throughout his career, Tueni has been in the vanguard of the struggle for Lebanese freedom, independence, and national sovereignty.
The funeral procession will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday at the St. George Greek Orthodox cathedral in downtown Beirut while condolences will be accepted at the St. Nicolas church in Ashrafiyeh on Friday, Sunday and Monday.
In addition to his numerous editorials and articles in Arabic and English on the Middle East, Palestine, and the Lebanese wars, Tueni's publications include Peace-Keeping Lebanon, 1979; Laissez vivre mon peuple! 1984; Une guerre pour les autres, 1985; and in Arabic, Letters to President Sarkis, 1995; Professional and Other Secrets, 1995; The Republic on Vacation, 1992, 2004; and, with Jean Lacouture and Gérard D. Khoury, Un siècle pour rien, 2003.
Ghassan Tueni is survived by his second wife Shadia al-Khazen and four grand-daughters
08 June 2012, 07:34
19
With Ghassan's death Lebanon loses another legendary citizen from an era that gave Lebanon some of its brightest and most patriotic men. It is a shame that great men like him are never appreciated enough while the scum of the earth leaders are the ones running the country.
RIP Mr. Tueini. Or rather Dr. Tueini, you are my hero.
08 June 2012, 07:39
13
I am very sorry for your loss.My deepest sympathy and condolences to Naharnet and his family. May he rest in peace.
08 June 2012, 07:57
12
helicopter...You could not have said it any better. Today's death of the dean of Lebanese, even the Arab journalists will definitely leave a big void in the Arab press.
May you rest in peace Ghassan Tueni...
John
08 June 2012, 07:58
13
In 2009, in downtown Beirut, we ran into the great Ghassan Twini who passed away today. Ghassan Twini to the people who don't know him, was one of the greatest Lebanese writer, thinker, politician, minister, politician, Lebanon ambassador to the united nation, a true Lebanese who won all different factions respects and admiration and was a unity person, never a hater even with the assassination of his son.... my cousin Nabil said good night to you Mr Twini, he looked at us and said... good night young fellas, be careful and may god protect you.... We are sure going to miss a much needed great Lebanese man who would bring together fighting Lebanese people together and help unify the country when all others went mad and lost common sense......
08 June 2012, 08:05
12
May he indeed rest in peace...he made a profound impact on Lebanese journalism..
08 June 2012, 08:06
14
Merci M. Tueni, Vous etes l'un des rares hommes qui nous ont appris à aimer le Liban et les Libanais à la fois, avec le coeur et la tete mais jamais avec les armes.
08 June 2012, 09:01
12
Such a pity this man was lost. Beyond what he did throughout his political life, he left a huge legacy. He always worked to institutionnalise his work, what he was doing, so it wasn't lost after he was gone. The newspapers which he nurtured developed, made into real perennial Institutions in the country. The publishing of so much of past literary works by forgotten Lebanese authors, which so many wouldn't have even be aware of had he not done it, etc... But also , I can' t help think about his visit to Nasrallah, who had sent representatives at Gebran's memorial mass, and that he visited to thank him for that. He told him I can now look you in the face, because we both have lost ours sons. He didn't know then what the STL has unfolded since, and what is stil to come!
08 June 2012, 09:45
13
Very few lebanese gave to Lebanon as much as Ghassan Tueni, you are loved and will be missed by most lebanese. You are my idol
08 June 2012, 10:06
12
May your soul rest in peace. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
08 June 2012, 10:14
12
A great Lebanese icon and true patriot leaves us physically, but his legend and works will remain deep rooted in precious Lebanon just as the cedar tree that remains firm and unshaken.
My deepest condolences to naharnet and alnahar teams.
08 June 2012, 10:15
11
الله يرحم غسان تويني اخر العمالقة من الاعلاميين والصحاقيين العرب وبدون مبالغة العالميين لقد كان كبيرا كبيرا فيالصحاقة وفي السياسة وفي الاخلاق الحميدة وقي التعامل الانساني لقد فقدنا بغيابه اخا غاليا وعلما عربيا بارزا وصديقا وقيا وتعلمنا منه دروسا كثيرة وثمينة اهمها الصبر والشجاعة وتحمل الاهوال؟؟؟ ويكفي صبره على فقدان الاحباب واولهم الراحلة الغالية نادية والاعلامي الشهيد جبران رحمك الله ياغالي وسنظل نتذكرك وتتذكرك الاجيال الى الابد واخرالتعازي للكريمتين وللسيدة شادية والاخ الغالي مروان حمادة..
08 June 2012, 10:24
13
Alla yerhamak ya Dr. Tueni. You are one of the very last Lebanese who brought respect to our country whatever you said and wherever you went. Lebanon just got this much poorer.
08 June 2012, 12:07
12
one of the last minaret of the golden era in bilad el arz turned off the light, bon voyage et salutations a nadia et gibran,dont worry gladiator,lebanon will prevail.
08 June 2012, 12:12
14
Il ne faut pas oublier le cheminement de l'Homme, puisqu'on fait l'impasse sur certains points de sa vie. Il était notamment membre du PSNS dans les années 50 comme beaucoup d'intellectuels d'alors qui participaient au débat entre libanité et arabisme comme il l'a lui même admis dans une de ses dernières interviews télévisées, il y a quelques années. Ce débat semble toujours exister aujourd'hui dans les chaumières libanaises entre ceux qui souhaitent ingérer le Liban dans des conflits régionaux et d'autres qui souhaitent lui donner une place à part. Certains changent par intérêt, lui changeait par conviction, celle de vouloir sauvegarder le Liban hors du conflit arabo-israélien qui perdure aujourd'hui et dans lequel s'est ingéré d'autres conflits. S'il y avait quelque chose à en retenir, il s'agit de son intégrité et de son honnêteté intellectuelle. Que son âme repose en paix.
08 June 2012, 12:13
14
For those of you boys and girls who lived during the 1975 Civil War, I would strongly recommend watching Our beloved Dr Tueni's speech at UN when he was an Ambassador. I would recoomend you to listen carefully to his words. It may stop you all from fighting each other because of your religion, or association with any political party. If you need to build a country, build it on his principles, an not your association. He always loved his country first.
Rest in piece Dr Ghassan
08 June 2012, 12:35
02
Ghassan Tueini, may you rest in peace. The arab world loses a great man, a leader and thinker.
08 June 2012, 13:12
01
Ghassan Tuein is one of the best politicians that Lebanon as a country produced. He was clear, diplomatic, sympathetic and unbiased. He invariably put Lebanon above all and for this he made significant compromises throughout his political life. The best act that he made was to forgive those who assassinated his son Gubran in one of the worse event that rocked Lebanon and the surrounding countries. While we moan his departure, we are happy for him having lived his life to a ripe age of 86. Death is a penalty all of us will have to pay if not now certainly later. Although I have been outside Lebanon for 20 years, I used when I was in Lebanon to listen attentively to him at all times. His analysis of things used to be educational and interesting. At last, he will have the chance to meet his two sons, daughter and his wife in Heaven. RIP Ghassan and God bless your soul.
08 June 2012, 13:26
02
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Naharnet and his family. May he rest in peace.
08 June 2012, 15:03
02
RIP Monsieur Tueni. My thoughts are with his family. my condolences Naharnet staff as well.
08 June 2012, 16:27
00
A pillar of Lebanese politics who has been known for his integrity and courage to speak out against immoral deeds no matter who committed them. I wish we can see more Ghassans on the current political scene instead of petty sectarian politicians who are out to further their own selfish and narrow objectives.
08 June 2012, 16:35
00
He left the dump for a better place called heaven, where khanzeer Rafic and none of his khanazeer are. niyelo
08 June 2012, 16:37
03
It will take us centuries to have men like you and Charles Malek.
God bless your soul
08 June 2012, 17:03
00
In times when darkness and evil prevailed, Ghassan Tueini was the light in the depth of despair and nothingness. He played the most important roles in Lebanon’s policy making and gained the respect not only of the Lebanese but all other nations. His presence was felt everywhere his foot stepped. A man larger than life. A man of dignity and honor. When everyone was scrambling to put themselves first, Ghassan put Lebanon above all and acted in the best interest of this troubled country. Sometimes it’s a cliché saying that departure of a politician is a loss, but in the case of Ghassan, I really feel a deep sense of loss; one that scratches my heart and causes real grief. Even when age ravaged his physical shape, his presence filled the arena. His sight was our blessing and happiness. Now that he’s gone, we will not forget him like we did to others because his apparition will stay in our hearts and souls.
08 June 2012, 17:10
02
Allah yerhamouh....a huge loss to his family and to our Beloved Lebanon, as well....
08 June 2012, 17:33
00
My Deepest Condolences To An Nahar Newspaper and Tueni Family .. You are in Our Prayers Mr. Tueni . R.I.P
Sharbel Rady - Los Angeles California
08 June 2012, 18:05
00
Intellect, class, combativeness, fairness you left us when we needed you most Mr Tueini RIP. Please try to convince the big guy up dem golden stairs and his holy son when you meet them to have pity on this nation and maybe, in passing, ask them to send at least another one like you ( or an army of them carrying pens).
08 June 2012, 19:20
00
It is good all of you conflicting users have agreed to one thing. It took the death of a great man to unite the rival users that at times swore at each other and at each other leaders.
09 June 2012, 02:21
00
May GOD have mercy on your Soul and welcome you into his Kingdom to be with JESUS, Joseph Ans Mary and All The Angels and Saints...RIP
09 June 2012, 05:54
00
Lebanon lost a true statesman and visionary and patriot may god bless your soul , you championed Lebanon in every turn in your life , you will be missed .
09 June 2012, 06:24
00
Lebanon has lost another great man... May Father and Son both rest in peace.
09 June 2012, 08:41
00
Lebanon and the arab world lost an icon, a legend and a national hero. A Lebanese giant in every meaning of the word. My most sincere and deepest condolences to Al Nahar family, friends and readers. Please Dr. Ghassan, now that you are in heaven please send my regards and my utter respect to another Lebanese giant, your son Gebran. May your soul rest in peace ya kbeer.
09 June 2012, 15:25
00
Mes condoleances pour toute la famille et leurs amis intimes et pour les gens qui ont aimes Son Altesse Tueni.
10 June 2012, 01:31
00
Dr. Tueni was a Patriot, Courageous and simply a Decent man who’s sacrifice will not go in vein. Dr. Ghassan Tueni will forever be known as “Lebanon’s Founding Father”. May He rest in peace.
12 June 2012, 20:53
00
RIP Mr.Tueni close to Gubran in heaven away from the bad people who fill with hate even to their people I wish you @ Gubran watch that dectator was hanged .
16 June 2012, 23:33
00
"Mon Excellence préférée", votre si intelligente et charmante bienveillance, pleine d'humour, de punch et de délicatesse est encore présente en moi et c'est avec amour que je vous remercie pour tout ce que vous m'avez donné et que mes pensées vous accompagnent au Ciel. Avec amour, admiration, reconnaissance. Je suis heureuse de vous savoir enfin auprès de vos aimés, comme je souffre pour ceux qui restent et en particulier pour la merveilleuse et si aimante Chadia. A Dieu, Jeanne-Bénédicte.
18 June 2012, 05:14
00
Poor guy, he survived his son. It must be a relief, in a way, for him.
21 June 2012, 20:10
00
Un homme formidable que le pays des Cèdres doit hisser au Sommet... Nous sommes triste...
Un expatrié depuis 43 ans qui rêve
