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Carlos Menem is one of the exemplary characters who has excelled in the international politics though being a Syrian immigrant. Carlos Menem retained his position as the 46th President of Argentina from July 8, 1989 to December 10, 1999. Carlos Menem took birth in the miniature town of Anillaco, in the Argentine province of La Rioja. He was born in the Muslim family of Saúl Menem and Mohibe Akil who were the Syrian immigrants. Carlos Menem was a good student from his early days and in the later days he was trained as a lawyer at the University of Córdoba. During the course of his studies, he got involved in politics. He became a die hard supporter of Juan Perón. Carlos Menem started campaigning in the open grounds for the release of the political prisoners. Such an action put himself behind the bars in 1957. Carlos Menem made brave efforts to overpower the then dictator Pedro Eugenio Arambru.
Carlos Menem became quite popular because of his prompt action against the autocracy of his contemporary leaders of Argentina. But, the Constitution of Argentina required the President to be a Roman Catholic. Henceforth, Carlos Menem converted himself to a Catholic. In spite of his religious conversion, he maintained strong ties with his parents' homeland Syria. His conjugal relation had too a close relation with Syria. Carlos Menem met Zulema Fátima Yoma and fell in love with her when he traveled Syria in 1964. This affection led to their marriage in 1966.
Carlos Menem was not solely the President of Argentina, but he was also the president of the Syrian-Lebanese Association of La Rioja.
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