The Rebel by Michel Zaccour

Why, today, a book on Michel Zaccour? Because this journalist, who was also a deputy and minister, appears as a major figure in the history of Lebanon, because his principles were those of a fervent Lebanese attached to the independence of his country and refractory to unionist or pan-Arab projects which were prevalent in the region. With Al-Maarad, Michel Zaccour founded a real school. This newspaper, which lasted around fifteen years, brought together an impressive host of Lebanese and Arab scholars, and demonstrated creativity and courage. Innovative and insolent, he exerted a certain influence on the political life of his time and contributed to forging the critical spirit of the Lebanese reader of the time. Journalists who have embraced a political career are legion – we think in particular to Clemenceau who was editor-in-chief of L’Aurore, to Charles Hélou who was a lawyer and editor of Le Jour before being elected president of the Lebanese Republic, or to Gebran Tuéni, pillar of the daily An-Nahar, who entered politics like his father and grandfather.