Saad Haddad

Saad Haddad
Haddad holding a press conference in 1981
President of the State of Free Lebanon
In office
18 April 1979 – 14 January 1984
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born1936 (1936)
Marjayoun, French Lebanon
Died14 January 1984(1984-01-14) (aged 47–48)
Marjayoun, Lebanon
Children1
OccupationMilitary officer
ReligionGreek Catholic
Military service
Allegiance Lebanon
Free Lebanon State
Branch/serviceLebanese Army
Army of Free Lebanon
South Lebanon Army
Battles/warsLebanese Civil War

Saad Haddad (Arabic: سعد حداد; 1936 – 14 January 1984) was a Lebanese military officer who was the founder and head of the South Lebanon Army (SLA) during the Lebanese Civil War. Originally a Major in the Lebanese Army, he defected and formed the SLA and created the separatist State of Free Lebanon backed by Israel. For years Haddad closely collaborated with and received arms and political support from Israel against Lebanese government forces, Hezbollah, and the Syrian Army. Haddad died of cancer in his house in Marjayoun.[1]

  1. ^ Walsh, Edward. "Lebanese Militia Leader, Saad Haddad, Dead at 47". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2018.