Marada Institution

The Marada Institution has existed ever since the beginning of the Ottoman invasion of Lebanon. It was formed in Zgharta, north Lebanon by several of the important families there to fight the Ottoman invasion. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the institution was led by the Frangieh family and became involved in politics. First led by Kabalan Frangieh, then by Hamid his older son. After Hamid died, his brother Sleiman became the leader, made the institution a militia during the Lebanese civil war, and became a Lebanese president. His son Tony was killed by Bachir Gemayel's Lebanese Forces militia. Tony's son Sleiman Jr. survived the attack and took lead of the institution after his grandfather's death. In 2006 he transformed the institution into a movement.