In Defense of Lebanon: The Special Relationship Between Rashid Karami and Syria (From 1976 Until 1987)

ABSTRACT Throughout Rashid Karami's illustrious career as a Sunni za'im and Lebanon's longest‐serving prime minister, he did his best to represent his community by supporting the involvement of the Syrians in Lebanese politics during Lebanon's Second Civil War. When Syrian President Hafez al‐Assad took office in 1970 in a bloodless coup known as the Corrective Movement, Karami strengthened an already robust relationship with al‐Assad and the Syrian establishment. This was appreciated by his Sunni community, which had long favored unifying the two countries. Karami understood the importance of Lebanon's ties with Syria during the civil war, particularly for the Lebanese Sunni community, and killed his principles to ensure long‐term relationship stability. This was true regarding Karami's acceptance of the PLO's removal from Lebanon following the 1982 Israeli invasion, the entry of UNIFIL into Lebanon, and his attempts to end the civil war in the late 1980s. This article examines Karami's involvement in this war and his special relationship with Syria, which, under al‐Assad, was more assertive than ever. It argues that Karami's relationship with Syria, while contentious, exemplifies a unique model of za'im leadership, reflecting Lebanon's complex confessional politics and highlighting the enduring role of external influence in shaping Lebanese governance.