Bishara Merhej
Lebanese politician (born 1946)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 | Shahé Barsoumian |
| 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 79–80) Beirut, Lebanon |
| Party | Al Baath Arab Socialist Party (until 1973) |
| Spouse | Wali Grote |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | American University of Beirut |
Early life and education
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]
Career
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]
Personal life
Merhej is married to Wali Grote, a physician, with who he has two daughters.[1]