History and Reforms

 1929

Division of Lebanon into 5 administrative governorates: Émile Eddé presided over the government that issued 750 decisions within 9 months, chief among them was the decision to divide Lebanon into 5 administrative governorates encompassing a mix of sects.

1943

Establishment of the parliamentary National Bloc: At the time, Émile Eddé put forward the term “Parliamentary National Bloc” for deliberation among the people through a program signed by numerous intellectuals, statesmen and legislators who led the parliamentary elections in their governorates and won the majority of seats.

1944

Refusal of Establishment of a Zionist entity: On July 25^th, 1944, President Émile Eddé rejected the establishment of the Zionist entity, and upon the proposal of MP George Akl, the bloc urged the parliament to take a historical decision to "reject and denounce any attempt to establish a Zionist national homeland in Palestine, regardless of its source, because this not only threatens the neighboring dear country of Palestine, but also Lebanon, its territorial integrity, and sovereignty..."

1946

Turning the Parliamentary Bloc into the "Lebanese National Bloc Party": President Émile Eddé turned the parliamentary bloc into the Lebanese National Bloc Party which, since its establishment, has adopted principled and bold stances on crucial issues.

1949

Election of Raymond Eddé as the National Bloc’s "Dean":  Following the death of Émile Eddé, his son Raymond was elected as the Lebanese National Bloc’s "Dean", who walked in the footsteps of his father as he adopted the same principled and bold course of action.

1951

The Women's Right to Vote draft law: The Lebanese National Bloc Party submitted a bill to grant women their political rights ahead of the 1951 elections. This right was recognized in 1952.

1953

The Civil Marriage draft law: The Lebanese National Bloc Party was a pioneer in proposing the optional civil marriage draft law in 1953.

1953

The Illicit Enrichment draft law: The Lebanese National Bloc submitted the Illicit Enrichment bill, known as the "How did you acquire this?” law, which was passed on February 18^th, 1953 and is a pillar for fighting corruption in Lebanon.

1956

The Banking Secrecy draft law: The National Bloc submitted the Bank Secrecy draft law issued on September 3^rd, 1956, and is one of the reasons why Lebanon was referred to as the "Switzerland of the East".

1968

Opposition to the “second bureau” (intelligence services): The Lebanese National Bloc Party formed the "tripartite alliance" along with the Lebanese Phalanges Party and the National Liberal Party, which won 30 seats out of 99 in the parliamentary elections as it stood firmly against the intervention of intelligence services (second bureau) in the political life.

1969

Opposition to Cairo Agreement: The party strongly opposed the Cairo Agreement as it aimed at opening a direct front with the Israeli enemy in southern Lebanon and handing over a large area of the South and Western Bekaa to the Palestinian armed struggle, which was called “Fatah Land”. The party warned that this move will torpedo the existing Armistice Agreement with Israel since 1949 and will jeopardize the Lebanese people’s villages and houses in that region as much as their lives, livelihoods and dignity, and make them face all kinds of hazards.

1976

Refusal to take part in the Lebanese war: The National Bloc did not participate in the Lebanese war, and during a press conference held by Raymond Eddé after returning from abroad, he said: "The National Bloc has always been supporting the national unity and the Lebanese sovereignty. The National Bloc Party refused to take part in the bloody battles that led to Lebanon’s destruction and the Lebanese sovereignty’s breakdown. These bloody battles were aimed at dividing Lebanon and there was an Israeli conspiracy in that."

1976

Opposition to the entry of Syrian military forces into Lebanon: The National Bloc Party stood firmly against the entry of Syrian military troops to the Lebanese territories and repeatedly warned against the consequences of such a move on the national sovereignty as well as on Lebanon’s unity and stability.

1978/82

Condemnation of the Israeli invasion: The Lebanese National Bloc Party denounced the Israeli invasion and warned against the state of instability which Israel would use as a pretext to occupy territories from southern Lebanon up to the north of the Litani River. The Party contributed to establishing contacts and mobilizing the international public opinion until the issuance of resolutions 425 and 426 by the UN Security Council.

1983

Rejection of May 17 Agreement: The Lebanese National Bloc Party rejected the agreement concluded by the Lebanese state and which was the basis of unilateral peace with Israel that would have threatened Lebanon’s unity and stability.

1989

Opposition to Taif Agreement: The Lebanese National Bloc Party opposed the Taif Agreement as it allowed the redeployment of the Syrian army instead of its withdrawal, but also because the meeting of deputies was held outside Lebanon which undermined the national sovereignty.

1992

Boycotting the general elections: The Lebanese National Bloc Party boycotted the general elections, as they were held in the presence of armies of occupation on Lebanese soil, which undermined national sovereignty.

2000

Election of Carlos Eddé as "Dean": Following Raymond Edde’s death, Carlos Eddé was subsequently elected as the National Bloc’s "Dean".