Bishara Merhej | |
---|---|
Minister of State for Administrative Reform | |
In office 7 November 1996 –4 December 1998 | |
Prime Minister | Rafik Hariri |
Minister of State | |
In office 2 September 1994 –25 May 1995 | |
Prime Minister | Rafik Hariri |
Preceded by | ShahéBarsoumian |
Minister of Interior | |
In office 31 October 1992 –2 September 1994 | |
Prime Minister | Rafik Hariri |
Succeeded by | Michel Murr |
Personal details | |
Born | Bishara Jamil Merhej 1946 (age 76–77) Beirut,Lebanon |
Political party | Al Baath Arab Socialist Party (until 1973) |
Spouse | Wali Grote |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | American University of Beirut |
Bishara Merhej (born 1946) is a Lebanese journalist and politician who held various cabinet posts,including minister of interior. He also served at the Lebanese parliament in the 1990s.
Merhej was born in Beirut in 1946. [1] He hails from a Greek Orthodox family. [2] His parents were Jamil Merhej and Salma Matar Rahbani. [3]
Merhej obtained a degree in economics from the American University of Beirut in 1967. [1] [3]
Following his graduation Merhej first worked as a teacher. [1] Then he began to work as a journalist [1] and wrote articles for the economy section of Al Anwar . [3] He is cofounder of the Active Arab Front and joined the Al Baath Arab Socialist Party where he served in different capacities until 1973. [1] In 1975 he involved in the establishment of the Assembly of Popular Leagues and Association which supported a united Lebanon and Arab identity of the country. [1]
Merhej was elected to the Parliament in the elections of 1992 and 1996 representing Beirut. [1] At the parliament he was a member of the human rights committee. [2] On 31 October 1992 he was appointed interior minister to the first cabinet of Rafik Hariri who selected him to the post. [4] In a reshuffle Merhej was named state minister on 2 September 1994. [2] [4] Merhej was the minister of state for administrative reform in the third cabinet of Hariri between 7 November 1996 and 4 December 1998. [1]
Merhej is married to Wali Grote,a physician,with who he has two daughters. [1]
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