Michel Suleiman or Sleiman (Arabic: ميشال سليمان‎, born 21 November 1948) is the current President of Lebanon. Before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. After LAF commander Émile Lahoud took office as president in November of 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December. Suleiman was later elected President and was sworn into office on May 25, 2008.[2][3]