Youssef Karam - First Exile

First Exile

This decision angered all Lebanese nationals, Christians and Muslims, who were hopeful for self-rule. Dawood Pasha was unpopular and his rule therefore ineffectual in the face of Lebanese opposition. Towin Lebanese support, Dawood offered Karam a senior Government post, the Commander of National Forces. Karam promptly refused and insisted on nothing less than self-rule for Lebanon. This angered Dawood who then issued an order exiling Karam to Turkey without any trial.

Karam remained in Turkey for 2 and half years, from late 1861 to 1864. He was given to understand that if he remained outside of Lebanon, his people would receive better treatment, and Dawood's term in Office would not be renewed after three years.

In 1864 however, Dawood Pasha's term was renewed for a further five-year period. Karam immediately returned to his hometown Zgharta in Northern Lebanon where he was greeted as a national hero by many Lebanese. Thousands of people railied around Karam, who then prepared for a revolution based on the following aims:

• End of all foreign rule in Lebanon,
• Abolition of the 'Mutassarafiya' doctrine which prohibted Lebanese sovereignty and independence,
• End of high taxes and levies,
• Abolition of imprisonment without trial,
• Expulsion of all regular Turkish troops from Lebanon.

At that time, Turkish regular troops were stationed in Lebanon contrary to the provisions of the new constitution, brought in by Dawood Pasha on the pretext that Lebanese forces were unable to maintain peace in Lebanon. The Maronite Patriarch had already pleaded with Dawood to withdraw all his troops from Lebanon, to reduce excessive taxes and to release political prisoners held without trial. The Turkish Government, through Dawood Pasha, rejected all these pleas and thus the stage was set for a major confrontation.

Many battles followed, one of the earliest being at Mo'amailtayn, Jounieh on 6 January 1866. There Karam was attending Mass at St. Doumit Church when regular Turkish troops attacked his men stationed outside the Church. A fierce battle followed, and Karam, aided by neighbouring villagers, defeated the Turkish troops. Karam immediately wrote to Istanbul and European Governments detailing the causes of conflict, and claiming his people's right to defend themselves.

Dawood Pasha however, was determined to rid himself of Karam and deal a fatal blow to the Lebanese nationalist movement. Dawood instructed his military Commander, Amin Pasha, to arrange a meeting with Karam in the presence of the Maronite Archbishop at Karmsaddeh, and there gain Karam's allegiance to Dawood's Government. The meeting was arranged for Sunday 28 January 1866. Karam agreed to Dawood's request on condition that Dawood accede to the Patriarch's pleas. Whilst the meeting was in progress, Turkish troops were sighted advancing at nearby Bnachii toward Karmsaddeh.

The meeting was abandoned, and one of the fiercest battles was fought at Bnachii involving some 800 of Karam's men opposing several thousand Turkish troops. Here, Karam won a decisive victory.

Karam never lost a single battle. He and his army felt their cause was just, they enjoyed wide and popular support, were familiar with the countryside, and were therefore able to outmanoeuvre the enemy. So successful was Karam, that he finally decided to march on Beiteddine, the Governor's residence, over-throw Turkish rule and install a Lebanese national Government. Thousands of people joined Karam in his march to Beiteddine, and Dawood Pasha was forced to flee to Beirut. Victory must have seemed imminent to Karam and his men.

In Beirut however, Dawood Pasha rallied support from the European Ambassadors. These emissaries warned Karam that as their Government were parties to the Lebanese constitution which allowed Turkish rule over Lebanon, they were bound to support Turkey and would actively oppose Karam and refuse to recognise any Government he may form.