Nabi Berry

Nabi Berry

Leader of the Lebanese Shiite movement "Amal".
Date of Birth: 28.01.1938
Country: Lebanon

Content:
  1. Nabih Berri
  2. Early Life and Education
  3. Political Career
  4. Amal Movement and Alliance with Syria
  5. Role in the Lebanese Civil War
  6. Syrian Influence and Decline of Amal
  7. Speakership of Parliament
  8. Post-Cedar Revolution
  9. Mediator during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
  10. Recent Political Developments

Nabih Berri

Nabih Berri is a prominent Lebanese Shia politician who has been the Speaker of the Parliament since 1992. He has also been the leader of the Shia Amal Movement since 1980. Berri is known for his support for Lebanon's alliance with Syria.

Early Life and Education

Born in Sierra Leone to Lebanese Shia immigrants, Berri moved to Lebanon and studied law at Beirut University. He became known for his political activism and led the student council. After graduating in 1963, he traveled to Sorbonne, where he earned a master's degree.

Political Career

In the 1970s, Berri joined the Arab nationalist movement and worked as a lawyer for General Motors. Following the mysterious disappearance of Musa al-Sadr, the leader of the Amal Movement, in 1978, Berri returned to Lebanon and took over the leadership of Amal in 1980.

Amal Movement and Alliance with Syria

Under Berri's leadership, Amal established close ties with Syria, which provided the movement with weapons and training. After the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1983, Amal and other pro-Syrian factions fought against the U.S.-led multinational force and pushed for the weakening of the central government, which had to abandon its agreement with Israel.

In February 1984, Amal participated in the expulsion of the Christian Lebanese Forces from West Beirut, boosting Berri's influence. He became a leading Shia politician and served in the government as Minister of Reconstruction of Southern Lebanon, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Electricity and Hydraulic Resources.

Role in the Lebanese Civil War

Berri played a crucial role in the conflict against the Palestine Liberation Organization in the mid-1980s, supported by Syria. Amal clashed with Palestinian refugee camps loyal to Yasser Arafat, resulting in thousands of deaths. In 1985, Amal fighters hijacked a TWA airliner and held 153 passengers hostage. One was killed before Berri mediated the negotiations. Details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Syrian Influence and Decline of Amal

In September 1985, Berri signed an agreement with Walid Jumblatt and Elie Hobeiqa, which consolidated Syria's control over Lebanon. The agreement was opposed by Maronite Christians and Sunni Muslims and was not ratified by President Amine Gemayel. Berri's pursuit of sole leadership and subservience to Syria led to a decline in Amal's popularity and the resignation of several leaders.

Speakership of Parliament

Berri became the Speaker of the Lebanese National Assembly, the highest post a Shia Muslim can hold in accordance with the constitution, in 1992 under Syrian patronage. He remained a staunch ally of Syria and sought to maintain Lebanon as a satellite state. In 1995 and 2004, Berri extended the presidential terms of Elias Hrawi and Emile Lahoud, respectively, at the behest of Damascus.

Post-Cedar Revolution

In 2005, after the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon, anti-Syrian forces won the parliamentary elections. Berri's supporters ran in alliance with Hezbollah. Together, the Shia parties won 35 seats in Parliament, with Amal holding 14.

Despite their alliance, skirmishes between Amal and Hezbollah have occurred. Berri was endorsed by the anti-Syrian majority for a new four-year term as Speaker in 2006.

Mediator during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

After the outbreak of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Berri became the primary intermediary between Hezbollah and the West. He rejected the American cease-fire terms on behalf of Hezbollah during Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to Lebanon in July 2006.

In August 2006, Berri warned that the draft UN Security Council resolution on Lebanon could lead to "open-ended" war.

Recent Political Developments

In November 2006, plans for an international tribunal to investigate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri sparked a political crisis. Pro-Syrian forces, including Amal and Hezbollah, opposed the tribunal. The cabinet crisis escalated following the assassination of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a known anti-Syrian figure.

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