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Fuad SinioraPrime Minister of the Lebanese Government
Date of Birth: 01.01.1943
Country:  Lebanon |
Content:
- Fouad Siniora: A Political Biography
- Academic and Business Career
- Political Career with Hariri
- Corruption Allegations and Investigations
- Prime Minister of Lebanon
- Coalition Government and Hezbollah's Inclusion
Fouad Siniora: A Political Biography
Early Life and EducationFouad Siniora was born in 1943 in the Lebanese city of Saida into a Sunni Muslim family. He attended the American School before pursuing a business degree at the American University of Beirut. Siniora obtained an MBA and became fluent in English.
Academic and Business Career
In the 1970s, Siniora taught at the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese University while simultaneously working for Citibank. In 1977, he received a high-ranking position on the audit committee of Lebanon's central bank. In 1982, Siniora joined the business empire of Rafik Hariri, who had amassed a fortune in construction. Hariri's diversified holdings included real estate, financial services, telecommunications, and oil trading. Siniora focused on banking and insurance operations.
Political Career with Hariri
Siniora served in all of Hariri's governments from 1992 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2004. He held the posts of Minister of State and Minister of Finance.
Corruption Allegations and Investigations
After the resignation of Hariri's government in 1998, allegations of corruption were leveled against Siniora, including accusations of concealing documents from the Lebanese Ministry of Finance. In 2000, Siniora came under investigation for the allocation of government funds to a garbage recycling plant that was never built. The charges against Siniora were viewed as part of a conflict between Hariri and President Émile Lahoud. In 2003, the Lebanese parliament cleared Siniora of any wrongdoing.
Prime Minister of Lebanon
In June 2005, Siniora was appointed Prime Minister of Lebanon. His candidacy was supported by 126 of 128 members of the newly elected parliament, which was chosen after mass protests sparked by Hariri's assassination. Siniora was nominated by the anti-Syrian bloc led by Saad Hariri, son of the slain Rafik Hariri.
Coalition Government and Hezbollah's Inclusion
Siniora formed a Lebanese coalition government that included both anti-Syrian and pro-Syrian political forces. For the first time, the extremist group Hezbollah, which effectively controls South Lebanon, received cabinet positions. Upon assuming the premiership, Siniora pledged to continue Hariri's policies and to seek justice for his murder.
