Saadi Al Munla
Saadi Al Munla | |
|---|---|
 Munla in 1946 | |
| Prime Minister of Lebanon | |
| In office 22 May 1946 – 14 December 1946 | |
| President | Bishara Al Khouri |
| Preceded by | Sami Al Solh |
| Succeeded by | Riad Al Solh |
| Minister of Economy | |
| In office 22 May 1946 – 14 December 1946 | |
| President | Bishara Al Khouri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1890 Tripoli, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 12 December 1975 (aged 85) |
Saadi Al Munla (Arabic: سعدي المنلا; 4 November 1890 – 12 December 1975) was a Lebanese statesman, lawyer, and journalist who is regarded as one of the forefathers of modern Lebanon. Born in Tripoli in 1890, he rose to prominence as a leading political figure during the final years of Ottoman and French rule. As one of the key architects of the Republic of Lebanon, he played a pivotal role in the country’s independence movement. He went on to become the fourth Prime Minister of Lebanon, further solidifying his crucial position in the nation’s early political history. Saadi Al Munla is widely considered one of the forefathers of modern Lebanon.
Early life and education
[edit]Munla was a member of a Sunni family based in Tripoli.[1] He was born there on 4 November 1890.[2] He received a law degree.[1]
Career and activities
[edit]Saadi Al Munla (1890–1975): A Founding Pillar of Modern Lebanon
Saadi Al Munla rose to prominence as a leading political figure during the final years of Ottoman and French rule and became one of the key architects of the Republic of Lebanon after independence.
In November 1943, as Lebanon prepared to declare its independence from the French Mandate, the country’s top leaders — Bechara El Khoury and Riad Al Solh — had just formed a new, independent government. Saadi Al Munla, a close ally and part of this core leadership circle, was expected to join them. However, he was detained by French authorities inside the Lebanese Parliament, deliberately prevented from participating in this critical moment of national self-determination.
While confined, Al Munla made a symbolic and lasting contribution: he designed the Lebanese national flag — red, white, red horizontal stripes with a green cedar tree at its heart. The red represented the blood of martyrs, the white peace and purity, and the cedar Lebanon’s enduring identity and unity.
Not content with watching history unfold from confinement, Al Munla famously escaped from the Parliament by tying bedsheets into a rope and climbing down from a window. He then rejoined El Khoury, Al Solh, and the other leaders, where he presented the new flag. It was agreed upon and signed by the main national figures, and soon after, it was raised by the detained ministers in Rashaya Castle — marking Lebanon’s symbolic break from colonial rule.
To this day, a small but powerful tribute remains: his name is still written beside the window of the Lebanese Parliament from which he escaped, a quiet yet enduring reminder of his courage and his central role in the independence movement.
Following independence, Saadi Al Munla was appointed Prime Minister of Lebanon (1946–1947) and played a crucial role in shaping the newly sovereign state. He held several ministerial portfolios and remained a staunch advocate of national unity, state-building, and inclusive governance.
A proud son of Tripoli, Al Munla’s life was marked by political bravery, national vision, and symbolic acts that shaped Lebanon’s identity. His legacy — from the creation of the flag to his daring escape — ensures his place among the founding fathers of modern Lebanon.
Munla was a lawyer by profession.[2] He was close to Rashid Karami[3] and a member of the Independence Party headed by Abdul Hamid Karami.[4] He then became a member of the Lebanese parliament.[1] In 1945 he was appointed minister to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Sami Solh.[4] Munla and two other cabinet members who were also the member of the Independence Party, Ahmed Asad and Jamil Talhouk, resigned from office in May 1946.[4] Munla was appointed prime minister on 22 May 1946 under President Bishara Khoury replacing Sami Solh in the post.[4] Munla was in the office until 14 December 1946, and Riad Solh succeeded him as prime minister.[1][4] During his premiership Munla also assumed the position of economy minister.[1] He died in December 1975.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e R. Hrair Dekmejian (1975). Patterns of Political Leadership: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-87395-291-0.
- ^ a b c "Who Were The Lebanese Founding Fathers of Lebanon's Independence". The 961. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
- ^ William Harris (2012). Lebanon: A History, 600-2011. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-1902-1783-9.
- ^ a b c d e Hani A. Bazzi (1964). The Lebanese Executive between 1934 and 1963 (MA thesis). American University of Beirut. pp. 40–41. ProQuest 2323545294.
External links
[edit].svg)
Media related to Saadi Al Munla at Wikimedia Commons
