245. Editorial Note
In briefing the National Security Council on July 31 on significant world developments affecting United States security, Allen Dulles offered the following assessment of developments in Lebanon and Jordan:
“The Director of Central Intelligence has said the Parliament of Lebanon had held a meeting and elected General Chehab as President of Lebanon. Two ballots were required. On the first, Chehab did not receive the required two-thirds majority; on the second, which did not require a two-thirds majority, he received the votes of 48 of the 56 Deputies present. Ten Deputies had been absent, including the Prime Minister, who had been out of his head since the attempt to assassinate him, and would probably resign soon.
“The President asked whether the Prime Minister had been shell-shocked during the attack on him. Mr. Dulles replied that the Prime Minister had not been physically harmed, but that he had received a terrific mental shock.
“Continuing, Mr. Dulles said the election of General Chehab was probably the most favorable result under the complicated circumstances existing in Lebanon, particularly since the opposition had voted for Chehab. However, the election had not settled all the affairs of Lebanon. Chehab had not shown much decisiveness in the last few days. This might be due to a natural indecisiveness in the face of a crisis; or it might have been a deliberately clever play of the cards, designed to secure greater support in the election. Some time back, Chehab had been Nasser’s candidate. Accordingly, we would expect closer ties between Lebanon and the UAR. Chehab might not hold office long. As a result of his election, the immediate crisis would probably subside, fighting would cease in most of the country, and Lebanon would get back on its feet economically.
“Mr. Dulles then noted that the situation in Jordan remained acute. It was hard to see how the regime could survive if and when U.K. forces retired from the country. The withdrawal of U.K. troops would probably be the signal for the collapse of the King, who does not enjoy sufficiently popular or Army support to remain in power when not held up by U.K. forces.” (Memorandum of discussion at the 374th Meeting of the National Security Council, prepared by Boggs on August 1; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
At the same meeting, the Council engaged in an extensive discussion of general policy problems relating to the Middle East. The record of this discussion is scheduled for publication in volume XII.