A brief look at Lebanon's army commander

NAME — Michel Suleiman.

AGE-BIRTH DATE — 59; Nov. 21, 1948.

EDUCATION — Graduated from Lebanon's military academy as second lieutenant, 1970; holds bachelor of arts degree in political and administrative sciences from Lebanese University.

EXPERIENCE — Commander of armed forces, 1998-present; commander of 6th Infantry Brigade, 1996-98; commander of 11th Infantry Brigade, 1993-96; army staff secretary-general, 1991-93; chief of intelligence branch, 1990-91.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS — Protected mass anti-Syria demonstrations and counter-protests; squashed sectarian violence; deployed army in Hezbollah strongholds of southern Lebanon for first time in decades; crushed rebellion by Islamic extremists in northern Lebanon.

FAMILY — Married to Wafaa Suleiman; three children.

QUOTE — "The state exists because the army is the guardian of the structure of this state."