| Farouk Abillama 05/12/1997 |
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When Farouk Abillama retired a few years ago, he did so looking back on a rich career in Lebanon and abroad. Although he qualified as a lawyer, he never went on to practise the profession, choosing instead a career serving Lebanon. Like his father before him, who was ambassador to Brazil, he entered the world of diplomacy. His appointment as ambassador to France brought him face to face with French anger and resentment toward Lebanon over the bombing of French barracks in Beirut in 1983 that claimed 58 French paratroopers as victims. His diplomatic skills were put to the test in a climate of anti-Arab prejudice and treatment. Feelings ran so high that at one point he was even obliged to remove the Lebanese flag from his diplomatic vehicle. In addition to being appointed, later, head of Lebanon’s General Security, Farouk Abillama was also nominated as General Secretary of the Ministry of Affairs during the difficult period in the late 1980s when there were two rival administrations headed by Salim Hoss and Michel Aoun. Among his peers, Farouk Abillama was respected for his gallantry and unique charm that blends a will to speak his mind with a great sense of humour. He passed away on May 1, 2007.The interview with Ricardo Karam took place in Beirut, Lebanon.