
ALIA EL SOLH - LEBANON
Alia El Solh, known as “the Daughter of Independence,” was a Lebanese journalist and activist who upheld the legacy of her father, Riad El Solh, Lebanon’s first prime minister and a key figure in the pan-Arabism movement. Born into a politically influential family, Alia attended the American University of Beirut and later Oxford, where she led demonstrations for women’s rights. Her journalistic career began in 1964 with Annahar newspaper, where her column “I Am Against” stirred Lebanon’s political landscape. In 1968, she became editor-in-chief of Al Hasnaa magazine, and her work brought her into close contact with influential leaders, including Yasser Arafat, Hafez Al-Assad, and King Hassan II.
Alia’s activism extended beyond journalism. She publicly criticized the Syrian influence in Lebanon and was known for her bold statements, famously challenging Arafat on the road to Jerusalem. In the 1980s, she moved to Paris during the Lebanese Civil War, where she remained an outspoken advocate for Lebanon’s independence. After her return to Beirut, she sought to establish the Riad El Solh Association, reflecting her commitment to Lebanon’s future.
Alia El Solh died of a heart attack in Paris on April 26, 2007. She is remembered as a powerful voice for Lebanese independence and Arab unity. She is survived by her daughter Faiza, son Riad, and grandchildren Ryan, Arabella, and Stirling.