Chamel Roukoz ( ar, شامل روكز) is a Lebanese politician, former

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

and former member of parliament. From May 2018 to 2022, he was a member of parliament who represented the Byblos–Keserwan district. Roukoz is also the son-in-law of President Michel Aoun, the founder of the FPM. Before retiring, Roukoz was the oldest commander of the Rangers Regiment and was spoken of as a potential candidate for the post of Lebanese Armed Forces Commander.

Military career

During the

Liberation war Wars of national liberation or national liberation revolutions are conflicts fought by nations to gain independence. The term is used in conjunction with wars against foreign powers (or at least those perceived as foreign) to establish separat ...

, under the leadership of Prime Minister General Aoun, Roukoz fought the Syrian forces and their Lebanese militia allies which were assaulting the “free zones” of East Beirut. During Summer 2007, he gained recognition as a brilliant Officer during the 15-week operation against

Fatah al-Islam Fatah al-Islam ( ar, فتح الإسلام, meaning: ''Conquest of Islam'') is a radical Sunni Islamist group that formed in November 2006 in a Palestinian refugee camp, located in Lebanon. It has been described as a militant jihadistLe Figaro ...

in Nahr al-Bared camp northern Lebanon. In addition, General Roukoz, fought

Ahmed al-Assir Ahmad Al-Assir (Arabic: أحمد الأسير, born 5 May 1968) is a Lebanese former Sunni Imam of the ''Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque'' in Sidon, who became an ex-leader of an Islamist group, that attacked the Lebanese Army in 2013 in Saida. He i ...

and his supporters during the Battle of Sidon in 2013. He also led the battles against Jabhat al-Nusra and

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant An Islamic state is a State (polity), state that has a form of government based on sharia, Islamic law (sharia). As a term, it has been used to describe various historical Polity, polities and theories of governance in the Islamic world. As a t ...

during the

Battle of Arsal On 2 August 2014, after Lebanese security forces arrested an al-Nusra Front commander, fighters from al-Nusra Front and ISIL surrounded Lebanese Army checkpoints in Arsal Arsal (also spelled Aarsal, Ersal or 'Irsal; ar, عرسال), is a ...

and battle of Rass Baalbak.

Awards

For his distinguished military achievements. General Roukoz awarded the National Order of Merit (Officer) by the

President of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (french: Président de la République française), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency i ...

as well as the Order of Charles III Encomienda de Número (Commander by Number) by the

king of Spain , coatofarms = File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Spanish_Monarch.svg , coatofarms_article = Coat of arms of the King of Spain , image = Felipe_VI_in_2020_(cropped).jpg , incumbent = Felipe VI , incumbentsince = 19 Ju ...

Civil–Rangers relations

According to Roukoz, the Lebanese people support is the strongest weapon to the Army. Thus, every year since 2008, the Rangers Regiment organizes unique mountain races open to both the military and civilians. ''Barracks to Barracks'' is the longest race with a participation of thousands of people from different nationalities. The races have also ecological and touristic goals. See Rangers Events.

Personal life

Roukoz is married to Claudine, daughter of the Lebanese President

Michel Aoun Michel Naim Aoun ( ar, ميشال نعيم عون ; born 30 September 1933) is a Lebanese politician and former military general who served as the President of Lebanon from 31 October 2016 until 30 October 2022. Born in Haret Hreik to a Mar ...

. He has two sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roukoz, Chamel Lebanese Maronites Brigadier generals Lebanese military personnel 1958 births Living people