Jean Kahwaji

Infobox Military Person
name= Jean Kahwaji
lived= 23 September 1953 - Present
placeofbirth= Ayn Ebel – Qada of Bint Jbeil


caption= General Jean Kahawji
allegiance= Lebanon
branch=Lebanese Armed Forces
serviceyears= 1973 - Present
rank= General

Appointment

On August 30, 2008, the Lebanese government appointed Brigadier-General Jean Kahwaji to be chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, replacing Michel Suleiman, who in May became the country's president.

Background

Kahwaji, married with three children and is a Maronite Christian, has headed the army's 12th Infantry Brigade since 2002.

Kahwaji joined in the army in 1973, he was trained abroad especially in the USA and Italy, to that he also underwent a training to fight against terrorism in Germany in 2006, and Italy.

Detailed Official Biography

General Information

*Date and place of birth: 23/9/1953 – Ayn Ebel – Qada of Bint Jbeil.
*Place of Residence: Sarba – Qada of Kesrwan.
*Foreign Languages: English – French – Italian.
*Married with Mrs. Marlene Sfeir and father of three children.

Promotions

*Enrolled in the Army as a cadet officer and joined the Military Academy starting 1/10/1973.
*Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant starting 1/7/1976.
*He was gradually promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of staff starting 1/7/2002 and benefited from seniority due to his exceptional martial exploits.
*He was promoted to the rank of General and was appointed as the Armed Forces Commander on 29/8/2008.

Functions

*Transferred to the Military Police battalion starting 21/2/1977.
*Appointed as senior officer of the Military Police company in the region of Mount Lebanon starting 7/12/1982.
*Transferred to the forth Infantry brigade as senior officer of company 422 starting 28/9/1983.
*Transferred to the Military Academy, as a trainer, starting 4/3/1984.
*Transferred to the tenth Airborne brigade, as senior officer of company 103, starting 1/11/1987.
*Appointed as commander of the Airborne regiment starting 12/10/1992.
*Appointed as commander of the third Intervention regiment starting 22/1/1996.
*Appointed as Chief of Staff of the eleventh Infantry brigade starting 31/7/1999.
*Appointed as assistant commander of the seventh Infantry brigade starting 22/8/2001.
*Appointed as commander of the second infantry brigade starting 29/7/2002.

Educational and training courses

He followed many courses inside and outside the country, mainly:
*Military course in the United States of America in 1980.
*Military course in Sweden in 1995.
*Military course in Italy in 1999.
*A course in the field of diplomacy of defense in Great Britain in 2003.
*Anti terrorism course in Germany in 2006.

Medals, awards and honors

*Medal of the Wounded.
*Lebanese War Medal (three times).
*Lebanese Order of Merit in first, second and third class.
*Order of the National Unity.
*Medal of the South Dawn.
*National Order of the Cedar in grade of a Knight and in grade of an Officer.
*Military Medal of Competence.
*Military Medal of Honor.
*Commendation of the Armed Forces Commander (eight times).
*Felicitations of the Armed Forces Commander (twenty six times).

Persondata
NAME= Jean, Kahwaji
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Lebanese Army Commander
DATE OF BIRTH= September 23, 1953
PLACE OF BIRTH= Ayn Ebel, Lebanon
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=