Sixty - six members of the Assembly elected him president on 8 May 1976 .
The election was held in the Versailles - style Esseily Villa , a private residence in Southeastern Beirut , since The National Assembly building was not safe due to ongoing attacks and battle .
Sixty - six members of the National Assembly elected him president on 8 May 1976 .
The election was held in the Versailles - style Esseily Villa , a private residence in Southeastern Beirut , since The National Assembly building was not safe due to ongoing attacks and battle .