Dr. Melkon Eblighatian was laid to rest in Beirut–Lebanon on December 1–as Lebanon’s leading political figures–diplomats–ARF leadership–as well his admiring public came to pay their last respects to a great political leader and public servant.
A well-known doctor–published author–and loyal member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation–Eblighatian represented Armenia’s in Lebanon’s Parliament for over 20 years. He was elected to Parliament in 1972 and served on various parliamentary commissions–and represented Lebanese delegations throughout the world. In 1989–he participated in Lebanon’s historic Taif Accords.
Eblighatian also played an instrumental role in formulating and implementing Armenia’s’ policy of "positive neutrality" during Lebanon’s Civil War. In the height of that war Eblighatian acted as negotiator between various factions numerous times.
From an early age–Eblighatian has been serving his country and the Armenian community. He has been involved in various organizations–such as Homenetmen and Hamazkayin. He served two terms on the ARF Lebanon Central Committee. He also served as the editor of "Aztag" Daily for two years.
In honor of his lifelong service–he Eblighatian received Lebanon’s National Cedar Medallion–and in 2000 was decorated with the Holy See of Cilicia’s Cilician Knighthood.
Dr. Melkon Eblighatian was born April 11–1919 in Turkey. Prior to settling in Beirut–Lebanon in 1961–he lived in Greece–Syria–and France. In 1948–he married Anahid Dolabjian–with whom he had three children: Lena–Norair–and Sylva.