Talal Arslan

Emir Talal Arslan (Arabic: الأمير طلال أرسلان) is a Lebanese politician, Political Leader of the Druze sect. He is the chief of the Arslan family, who claim to be descendants of the Lakhmids.

Talal Arslan
الأمير طلال أرسلان
Talal Arslan, May 2019
Minister of Displaced
In office
18 December 2016 – 31 January 2019
Prime MinisterSaad Hariri
Preceded byAlice Shabtini
Succeeded byGhassan Atallah
In office
26 October 2004 – 19 April 2005
Prime MinisterOmar Karami
Preceded byNajib Mikati (Acting)
Succeeded byAdel Hamiyeh
Minister of Youth and Sports
In office
11 July 2008 – 9 November 2009
Prime MinisterFouad Siniora
Preceded byAhmad Fatfat
Succeeded byAli Abdullah
Leader of the Lebanese Democratic Party
Assumed office
1 July 2001
Preceded byParty founded
Member of Lebanese Parliament
In office
20 June 2009 – 21 May 2022
ConstituencyAley District
In office
7 June 1991 – 20 June 2005
ConstituencyAley District
Personal details
Born (1965-06-12) 12 June 1965
Choueifat, Lebanon
Political partyLebanese Democratic Party
SpouseZeina Kheireddine
ChildrenEmir Majid
Emira Kinda
Parent(s)Emir Majid Arslan II
Khawla Rashid Jumblatt

Early life

Arslan was born in Choueifat to the late Druze leader Emir Majid Arslan. He studied at Charley Saad school in Choueifat, now known as SABIS International School. He then moved to London to continue his studies at St. Augustine School[1] because of the war in Lebanon. Before taking over his duties, his mother, Emirah Khawlah Majid Arslan, was the family chief. During her reign his brother, Emir Faysal Arslan, was also involved in politics.

Arslan has a bachelor's degree in political sciences from George Washington University and a master's degree from the American University of Beirut.[2]

Family and personal life

Arslan met his wife Zeina Kheireddin, now known as Emira Zeina Talal Arslan, in London. They got married on 17 July 1993 and bore two children: Emir Majid and Emirah Kinda.

Arslan resides in "Khaldeh Palace", or "Dar Khaldeh", located in Khalde, Choueifat, Lebanon. The palace has been the residence of the chief of the Arslan family since the beginning of the 20th century. It is the official residence of other members of the family such as Emira Khawla Majid and Emira Zeina Majid. Before that, the official residence of the head of the dynasty was in the "Serail of the Arslan family" in Choueifat (Arabic: سراي الأمير جمال الدّين الأرسلاني) that was built in the 17th century and is still used today by family members for private retreats.

Political career

Arslan was elected to the Lebanese Parliament as a deputy of the Aley District in 1991, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2009 and 2018, losing his seat between 2005 and 2009. From 1990 to 1992 he was the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, from 1996 to 1998 he was Minister of Emigrants and served as Minister of State twice from 2000 to 2003 and from 2003 to 2004. Emir Talal founded the Lebanese Democratic Party along with Marwan Bey Abou Fadel in 2001.[1] He is also affectionately called "al-damaneh" (Arabic: الضمانة) meaning "The Guarantee", by his followers.[2] He lost his seat in the 2022 Lebanese general election to the change candidate Mark Daou.[3]

Cabinet positions

2011 Cabinet resignation

Arslan resigned after not providing the Druze in general, and his party (Lebanese Democratic Party) in particular, a "key ministerial portfolio". He stated "I cannot participate in a Cabinet in which Mikati says that the Druze do not have a right to be assigned a key ministerial portfolio...Mikati is conspiring against coexistence in the country." He further accused Mikati of trying to ignite a conflict within March 8 by lying to the public and attempting to embarrass Hezbollah by stalling the formation of a new government. Security officials said that his supporters in his stronghold of Khalde blocked the highway leading to the village and fired gunshot rounds in the air to protest Mikati cabinet. Moreover they blocked the international highway leading to Damascus in Mount Lebanon as well as main roads in the Chouf District and in South Lebanon; in Hasbaya.

Post resignation

The resignation of Arslan had a negative effect on the March 8 Alliance that was criticised for letting down Arslan whose party was a major ally in it. Therefore many key people in the alliance—such as the speaker of parliament Nabih Berri—contacted Arslan trying to find a suitable solution for the representation of the LDP in general and Arslan in particular in the newly formed government. After weeks of discussions the resolution allowed Arslan to name a minister to take his place as Minister of State so that the government will be complete (with 30 ministers) and the political hole would be recovered. Thus, Marwan Kheireddine became the representative of the Lebanese Democratic Party in the Government of Lebanon .

See also

References
  1. "Biography of Minister Talal Arslan". National News Agency. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  2. Arslan Talal, Minister of The Displaced, Baabda-Aley MP Lebanonwire. Archived October 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2038882-hezbollah-backed-mp-arslan-loses-seat-to-newcomer-hezbollah-official-says". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
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