Elias Hrawi, 81, ex-Lebanese leader

BEIRUT -- Elias Hrawi, who as president rebuilt Lebanon after a 15-year civil war but also helped Syria take over his country, has died. He was 81.

Mr. Hrawi died Friday at the American University Hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a chronic illness in recent weeks, a senior Lebanese official said.

A sharp-tongued, energetic Maronite Catholic politician, Mr. Hrawi was elected by parliament for a six-year term in November 1989. His top mission was to oversee the implementation of a peace agreement between Muslim and Christian militias brokered by the Arab League to end the conflict and rebuild the shattered country.