TER-PETROSYAN Levon

Levon Ter-Petrossian born on January 9, 1945 in Aleppo (Syria).

In 1946, Ter-Petrossian moved to Armenia.

In 1968 he graduated from the Oriental Studies Department, Yerevan State University.

In 1971 he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Oriental Studies.

In 1972 he defended his thesis, and in 1987 - a doctoral dissertation.

In 1972-78 he. worked at the Literature Institute of Armenia named. M. Abeghian as a researcher. In 1978-85 he. served as Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) they. After Mashtots. Since 1985, Mr.. worked in the same institute as a senior researcher.

Author of more than 70 scientific papers (in Armenian, Russian and French). He is a member of the Writers' Union of Armenia, the French Asian Society, Mkhitarian Academy in Venice, and an Honorary Doctor of the University of La Verne.

Political career started in 1960. In February 1988, directed the "Karabakh" committee Matenadaran. In May of that year was included in the Committee of the Karabakh movement of Armenia. On December 10, 1988 to May 31, 1989, together with other members of the "Karabakh" committee, was arrested. In November 1989 he was elected a board member of the Armenian National Movement, then - President of ADP.

August 27, 1989, was elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR, 20 May 1990 the newly elected republican Supreme Soviet, and August 4 of that year - the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia.

October 16, 1991 elected the first President of the Republic of Armenia. Re-elected on September 22, 1996.

In February 1998, resigned.