328. Editorial Note
On the morning of September 23, General Fuad Chehab took the oath of office as President of Lebanon in Parliament and delivered an inaugural address appealing for national unity, a healing of wounds, the redressing of the national economy, and the reestablishment of cordial relations with Arab states in particular and friendly nations in general. (Telegram 1668 from Beirut, September 23; Department of State, Central Files, 783A.11/9–2358) On September 24, President Chehab announced a cabinet that included Prime Minister Rachid Karame, who also held the portfolios of Interior and National Defense, Finance Minister Rafik Naja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Philip Takla, Minister of National Economy and Information Charles Helou, Minister of Justice and Social Affairs Joseph Sauda, Minister of Education and Health Mohammed Safieddine, Minister of Agriculture Fuad Najjar, and Minister of Public Works Farid Trad. (Telegram 1690 from Beirut, September 25; ibid., 783A.13/9–2558)