Antoine Saad, former Greek Orthodox MP of West Bekaa-Rashaya, died Monday morning following a sudden health issue that came up two days prior, announced the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Born in Rashaya in 1937, the MP was a member of the Democratic Gathering and a personal friend of its leader Walid Jumblatt. Saad joined the Lebanese Army in 1957 and was promoted to general in 1994. He retired in 1998.

Known for his strong opposition to the Syrian regime and the Assad family, Saad was elected MP of his region in 2005 on the March 14 Alliance list (Lebanese Forces, Progressive Socialist Party, and their allies), defeating the main pro-Syrian figure of the area, former Parliament deputy speaker Elie Ferzli. He was reelected in 2009.

Saad was also firmly opposed to General Michel Aoun, the future president of the Republic, who had him arrested on Jan. 1, 1990, during his time as head of a Christian military government. Aoun accused him of preparing a coup in collaboration with the Lebanese Forces. Saad was released four months later by order of President Elias Hrawi.