The war consumed everything in Lebanon. Dr Salem continued to do his job inspite of the chaos until Lebanon lost the remaining of its dignity by Khalil's assassination. Khalil was kidnapped on July 30, 1976 and his body was found 3 days later in the trunk of the car he was driving.
His assassination shocked the little country in its entirety. There was a state funeral, one of the largest the country had ever known.
His home village, Bterram, is still keeping many signs of Khalil. He built Bterram's School and was involved in many projects improving the village and the life of its inhabitants. His ambitious urban projects in the area were stopped because the civil war. The war took his life while his name and achievements will be remembered by many generations.
Dr Khalil I. Salem
1929-1976
Dr. Khalil Salem as Director General of the Ministry of Finance between (May 9, 1966 - July 30, 1976) (1):
Khalil Salem was born on January 5, 1929 in Bterram. He received his early education in Bterram than Tripoli where he was graduated at Tripoli National High School in 1946. He joined the American University of Beirut (AUB) to receive his M.A. in Economics in 1955.
In 1958, the young Khalil received a Ford Foundation Scholarship and entered the graduate school of Vanderbilt University and earned his PhD in Economics in 1964. The title of his project was "Credit and Economics Growth in Lebanon". The work was prepared at the AUB where he was holding a position as senior economic analyst and later as assistant professor.
Dr Salem's integrity was widely known. Because of his expertise and knowledge in the field of Economics he was offered and subsequently accepted the position as Director General of the Ministry of Finance by President Charles Helou was in March 1966. This nomination was based on merit since he did not enjoy any political backing, which was the key to all governmental nominations in Lebanon.
His relentless work within the finance ministry setting a high professional spirit and outstanding relatioship with all employees led to exemplary achievements. He made Lebanon's reputation and trust in the Arab world and in the international community.
On August 15, 1966 Dr Salem was appointed Governor of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Later, he was appointed Governor to the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and in 1974 was elected president of its Boards of Governors. He served on numerous committees dealing with economic planning, fiscal policies, transportation and labor relations,....
The war started in April 1975 and heaven turned to hell. "When life is being destroyed and when the humanity is being abused, the why, the when and the where lose their significance"
(1): from "KHALIL AND ALL OF LEBANON" Khalil's life story written by his brother Dr Sema'an Salem.
(pictures and facts are reproduced by permission)
Mr. Naffa'a, President Franjieh, Mr. McNamara, and
Dr. Salem coming out of a financial meeting in Beirut (1973)
Dr Khalil Salem as president of the Board of Governors
of the Arab Funds for Economic and Social Development
