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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox Minister
{{Infobox Minister
| name = Nabih Berri <br> نبيه بري
| name = Nabih Berri
| image=Nabih Berri.jpg
| image =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| office = [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon]]
| office = [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon]]
| president = [[Elias Hrawi]]<br>[[Émile Lahoud]]<br>[[Michel Sleiman]]
| president = [[Elias Hrawi]]<br>[[Émile Lahoud]]<br>[[Michel Sleiman]]
| predecessor = [[Hussein el-Husseini]]
| predecessor = [[Hussein el-Husseini]]
| successor =
| successor =
| term_start = 20 October 1992
| term_start = 20 October 1992
| term_end = present
| term_end = present
| office2 =
| office2 =
| primeminister2=
| primeminister2=
| predecessor2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| successor2 =
| term_start2 =
| term_start2 =
| term_end2 =
| term_end2 =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1938|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1938|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bo, Sierra Leone]]
| birth_place = [[Bo, Sierra Leone]]
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplace =
| party = [[Amal Movement]]
| party = [[Amal Movement]]
| residence =
| residence =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| spouse = Randa Berri
| spouse = Randa Berri
| nationality = [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese]]
| nationality = [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese]]
| religion= [[Twelver]] [[Shia Islam]]
| religion= [[Islam]]
| children =
| children =
| website = www.nabihberry.com
| website = www.nabihberry.com
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}

'''Nabih Berri''' ({{lang-ar|نبيه بري}}; born 28 January 1938) is the [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker]] of the [[Parliament of Lebanon]]. He heads the [[Amal Movement]].<ref name="Fandy2007">{{cite book|last=Fandy|first=Mamoun|title=(Un)civil war of words: media and politics in the Arab world|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5QfURgCJmekC&pg=PA75|accessdate=25 April 2011|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-99393-1|page=75}}</ref><ref name="Nir2011">{{cite book|last=Nir|first=Omri|title=Nabih Berri and Lebanese Politics|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=H5KxcQAACAAJ|accessdate=25 April 2011|date=15 February 2011|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-10535-5}}</ref><ref name="Nabih1">{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>
'''Nabih Berri''' ({{lang-ar|نبيه بري}}; born 28 January 1938) is the [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker]] of the [[Parliament of Lebanon]]. He heads the [[Amal Movement]].<ref name="Fandy2007">{{cite book|last=Fandy|first=Mamoun|title=(Un)civil war of words: media and politics in the Arab world|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5QfURgCJmekC&pg=PA75|accessdate=25 April 2011|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-99393-1|page=75}}</ref><ref name="Nir2011">{{cite book|last=Nir|first=Omri|title=Nabih Berri and Lebanese Politics|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=H5KxcQAACAAJ|accessdate=25 April 2011|date=15 February 2011|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-10535-5}}</ref><ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>

==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
He was born in [[Bo, Sierra Leone|Bo]], [[Sierra Leone]] to Lebanese parents on 28 January 1938.<ref name=wofl>{{cite web|title=Nabih Berri|url=http://wars.meskawi.nl/people.html#6|publisher=Wars of Lebanon|accessdate=27 January 2013}}</ref>
He was born in [[Bo, Sierra Leone|Bo]], [[Sierra Leone]] to Lebanese parents on 28 January 1938.<ref name=wofl>{{cite web|title=Nabih Berri|url=http://wars.meskawi.nl/people.html#6|publisher=Wars of Lebanon|accessdate=27 January 2013}}</ref>

Berri went to school in [[Tebnine]] and [[Ain Ebel]] in southern [[Lebanon]], then continued his education in Bint Jbeil and Jaafariya supplementary schools in southern [[Lebanon]] and later studied at the [[Makassed]] and the [[Ecole de la Sagesse]] in [[Beirut]]. He graduated with a Law degree from the [[Lebanese University]] in 1963, where he had served as the student body president, and became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals.<ref name=Nabih1>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref><ref>[http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7956.html official website of the Lebanese parliament]. Country-data.com. Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref>
Berri went to school in [[Tebnine]] and [[Ain Ebel]] in southern [[Lebanon]], then continued his education in Bint Jbeil and Jaafariya supplementary schools in southern [[Lebanon]] and later studied at the [[Makassed]] and the [[Ecole de la Sagesse]] in [[Beirut]]. He graduated top of his class with a Law degree from the [[Lebanese University]] in 1963, where he had served as the student body president, and became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. He also graduated from [[Paris-Sorbonne University]] in [[France]].<ref name=Nabih1>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref> During the 1960s, he joined the [[Arab Nationalist Movement]].

==Early career==
==Early career==
During 1963, Berri was elected as president of the National Union of Lebanese Students,<ref>[http://www.whichcame1st.com/Nabih-Berri.htm Nabih Mustafa Berri biography]. Whichcame1st.com. Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref> and participated to student and political conferences. During his early career he became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. In the early 1970s, Berri worked in [[Beirut]] as a [[lawyer]] for several companies.
During 1963, Berri was elected as president of the National Union of Lebanese Students, and participated to student and political conferences. During his early career he became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. In the early 1970s, Berri worked in [[Beirut]] as a [[lawyer]] for several companies.

In 1980, Berri was elected leader of the [[Amal Movement]],<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/lebanon/88.htm Amal]. Countrystudies.us. Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref> This caused increasing cooperation with the Israelis in the south, which allowed for several officials defect from Amal and found Islamic Amal, which later transformed into Hezbollah.
In 1980, Berri was elected leader of the [[Amal Movement]], leading the resistance against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. He remains president until today due to fact that the general conferences of Amal Movement reelected him each time as head of the Movement.
He was the key player of the [[Intifada]] of 6 February 1984 against the sectarian regime, an uprising which produced the [[Taif Agreement]] between the Lebanese parties.

He was the key player of the sectarian [[Intifada]] of 6 February 1984 against the Lebanese government, where Shia officers and soldiers were called to defect from the Lebanese Army.<ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2004/Feb-07/92262-remembering-the-uprising-of-feb-6-1984.ashx#axzz33AzFKpHP Daily star newspaper]. Dailystar.com.lb. Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref>
⚫
Berri also joined the National Unity government as minister of state for South Lebanon and reconstruction under [[List of Prime Ministers of Lebanon|Prime Minister]] [[Rashid Karami]] in May 1984.<ref name=owen84>{{cite journal|last=Owen|first=Roger|title=The Lebanese Crisis: Fragmentation or Reconciliation?|journal=Third World Quarterly|date=October 1984|volume=6|issue=4|pages=934–949|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/3991803|accessdate=11 March 2013|doi=10.1080/01436598408419807}}</ref> He also served as the minister of housing and co-operatives.<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>

⚫
Berri also joined the National Unity government as minister of state for South Lebanon and reconstruction under [[List of Prime Ministers of Lebanon|Prime Minister]] [[Rashid Karami]] in May 1984.<ref name=owen84>{{cite journal|last=Owen|first=Roger|title=The Lebanese Crisis: Fragmentation or Reconciliation?|journal=Third World Quarterly|date=October 1984|volume=6|issue=4|pages=934–949|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/3991803|accessdate=11 March 2013|doi=10.1080/01436598408419807}}</ref> He also served as the minister of housing and co-operatives.<ref name="Nabih1">{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf|work=lp.gov.lb }}</ref>

==Later political career==
==Later political career==
Berri served as a cabinet minister from 1984 till 1992:<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Lebanese Parliament official website|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>
Berri served as a cabinet minister from 1984 till 1992:<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>
* 30 April 1984 to 22 September 1988: Minister of Justice in the government of [[Rashid Karami]].<ref name=user>{{cite web|title=Minister of justice|url=http://people.famouswhy.com/nabih_berri/#6|publisher=FamousWhy}}</ref>
* April 30, 1984 to September 22, 1988: Minister of Justice in the government of [[Rashid Karami]].<ref name=user>{{cite web|title=Minister of justice|url=http://people.famouswhy.com/nabih_berri/#6|publisher=FamousWhy}}</ref>
* 25 November 1989 to 24 December 1990: Minister of Hydraulic& Electric Resources in the government of [[Selim Hoss]].
* November 25, 1989 to December 24, 1990: Minister of Hydraulic& Electric Resources in the government of [[Selim Hoss]].
* 25 November 1989 to 24 December 1990: Minister of Housing& Cooperatives in the government of [[Selim Hoss]].
* November 25, 1989 to December 24, 1990: Minister of Housing& Cooperatives in the government of [[Selim Hoss]].
* 16 May 1992 to 31 October 1992: Minister of state in the government of [[Rachid Solh]].<ref name="user"/>
* May 16, 1992 to October 31, 1992: Minister of state in the government of [[Rachid Solh]].<ref name="user"/>

Due to strong Syrian backing and to Berri's proximity to Syrian officials in Lebanon, he was reported to have the biggest influence in the Lebanese government formed after the [[Taif Accord]].<ref name=shad>{{cite journal|last=Haddad|first=Simon|title=Cultural diversity and sectarian attitudes in postwar Lebanon|journal=Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies|date=April 2002|volume=28|issue=2|pages=291–306|url=http://ipac.kacst.edu.sa/eDoc/2006/159617_1.pdf|accessdate=3 July 2012|doi=10.1080/13691830220124341}}</ref>
He is reported to have the biggest influence in the Lebanese government formed after the [[Taif Accord]].<ref name=shad>{{cite journal|last=Haddad|first=Simon|title=Cultural diversity and sectarian attitudes in postwar Lebanon|journal=Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies|date=April 2002|volume=28|issue=2|pages=291–306|url=http://ipac.kacst.edu.sa/eDoc/2006/159617_1.pdf|accessdate=3 July 2012|doi=10.1080/13691830220124341}}</ref>

Berri headed the list of "Liberation" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 6 September 1992, which was won in full. The other lists he headed were "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 8 September 1996, which was won in full. Since 1992 he chairs the Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc.<ref>[http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf Official Lebanese parliament website]. (PDF) . Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref>
Berri headed the list of "Liberation" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 6 September 1992, which was won in full. The other lists he headed were "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 8 September 1996, which was won in full. Since 1992 he chairs the Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc.
⚫
Berri headed the list of "Resistance and Development" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 3 September 2000, which was won in full. He also headed the list of Liberation and Development in the parliamentary elections which took place in June 2005, which was won in full. Currently, Berri heads the list of "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009. All the members of the Bloc won the elections on 2009.

⚫
Berri headed the list of "Resistance and Development" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 3 September 2000, which was won in full. He also headed the list of Liberation and Development in the parliamentary elections which took place in June 2005, which was won in full. Currently, Berri heads the list of "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 7 June 2009. All the members of the Bloc won the elections on 2009.
⚫
Speaker Nabih Berri was always and still a big supporter of the dialogue between all the Lebanese parties, religions and sects, during the last national dialogue session in May 2014, Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that "power-sharing between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon would not change under any circumstance saying he was speaking on behalf of Shiites, Sunnis and Druze". <ref name=Nabih0>{{cite news|title=No change in power-sharing formula in Lebanon|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/no-change-in-power-sharing-formula-in-lebanon-1.1328924 }}</ref>

⚫
Speaker Nabih Berri was always and still a big supporter of the dialogue between all the Lebanese parties, religions and sects, during the last national dialogue session in May 2014, Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that "power-sharing between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon would not change under any circumstance saying he was speaking on behalf of Shiites, Sunnis and Druze".<ref name=Nabih0>{{cite news|title=No change in power-sharing formula in Lebanon|author=Kechichian, Joseph A. |date= 6 May 2014|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/no-change-in-power-sharing-formula-in-lebanon-1.1328924 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/May-06/255491-leaders-praise-sleiman-at-final-dialogue-session.ashx#axzz32uZF3lWO Leaders praise Sleiman at final Dialogue session]. Dailystar.com.lb. 6 May 2014.</ref>
==Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon==

He was elected Speaker of the parliament of Lebanon for the first time on 20 October 1992 ''(105 votes out of 124 votes)''.<ref name=users>{{cite web|title=Nabih Berri Facts|url=http://www.yourdictionary.com/nabih-berri#6|publisher=YourDictionary, Under Syria's Influence part}}</ref> He was re-elected for a second time on 22 October 1996 ''(122 votes out of 126 votes)''. He was elected to the same post three more times on 17 October 2000 unanimously ''(124 votes out of 126 votes)'', on 28 June 2005 ''(90 votes out of 126 votes)''<ref name=mallat>{{cite book|last=Mallat|first=Chibli|title=Lebanon's Cedar Revolution An essay on non-violence and justice|publisher=Mallat|page=122|url=http://mallat.com/books/Appendix1%20and%202.pdf}}</ref> and on 25 June 2009 ''(90 votes out of 127 votes)''<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://www.nabihberry.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9/}}</ref>
He was elected Speaker of the parliament of Lebanon for the first time on 20 October 1992 ''(105 votes out of 124 votes)''.<ref name=users>{{cite web|title=Nabih Berri Facts|url=http://www.yourdictionary.com/nabih-berri#6|publisher=YourDictionary, Under Syria's Influence part}}</ref> He was re-elected for a second time on 22 October 1996 ''(122 votes out of 126 votes)''. He was elected to the same post three more times on 17 October 2000 unanimously ''(124 votes out of 126 votes)'', on 28 June 2005 ''(90 votes out of 126 votes)''<ref name=mallat>{{cite book|last=Mallat|first=Chibli|title=Lebanon's Cedar Revolution An essay on non-violence and justice|publisher=Mallat|page=122|url=http://mallat.com/books/Appendix1%20and%202.pdf}}</ref> and on 25 June 2009 ''(90 votes out of 127 votes)''<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://www.nabihberry.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9/}}</ref>

During his time at office, several laws were passed, notably the laws regarding Public Freedoms (Human rights, rights of the disabled, women's rights).
⚫
Since 1999, he chairs the Arab Parliament Committee in charge of disclosing the Israeli crimes against Arab civilians. On 3 June 2003, he was elected president of the [[Arab Parliament]] and handed the presidency in [[Damascus]] on 1 March 2004 for a period of two years. He was elected president of the Council of the Parliamentary Union of the Member States.<ref name="Nabih1">{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>
He is the biggest supporter of the Abolition of political sectarianism, Strengthening the independence of the judiciary system, strengthening public institutions and municipalities and restoring the role of the Economic and Social Council.

He is a supporter of a modern electoral law on the basis of relativity.
⚫
Nabih Berri was elected President of the [[Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States]] in Dakar-Senegal in 9 March 2004 until 9 March 2006.<ref name="Nabih1">{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref><ref>[http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/home/ OIC official website]</ref>

==Arab World==
⚫
Since 1993, he chairs the '''Union of Parliamentarians of Lebanese Descent''' including 156 members of parliament and senators from 19 countries.<ref name="Nabih1">{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/1998/Apr-21/16858-deputies-of-lebanese-origin-say-diaspora-should-be-citizens-too.ashx#axzz33f6SETXG the daily star]. the daily star (21 April 1998). Retrieved on 5 August 2014.</ref>
⚫
Since 1999, he chairs the Arab Parliament Committee in charge of disclosing the Israeli crimes against Arab civilians. On 3 June 2003, he was elected president of the [[Arab Parliament]] and handed the presidency in [[Damascus]] on March 1, 2004 for a period of two years. He was elected president of the Council of the Parliamentary Union of the Member States.<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>

==Wikileaks diplomatic cables==
==Islamic Level==
Berri was mentioned repeatedly in the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks. A cable from 2004 described the Amal Movement under Berri as being "near universally derided as corrupt to the core",<ref>[http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04BEIRUT4941 Lebanon: What's wrong with AMAL?]</ref> and Berri was described by a relative of [[Musa al-Sadr]] as having provided social services in the south only through "wheeling, dealing, and stealing".<ref>[http://www.gloria-center.org/2011/12/the-%E2%80%9Cindependent-shi%E2%80%99a%E2%80%9D-of-lebanon-what-wikileaks-tells-us-about-american-efforts-to-find-an-alternative-to-hizballah/#_edn50 The "independent Shia" of Lebanon: What Wikileaks tells us about American efforts to find an alternative to Hizballah]</ref>
⚫
Nabih Berri was elected President of the [[Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States]] in Dakar-Senegal in March 9, 2004 until March 9, 2006.<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>

During the [[2006 Lebanon war]], Berri, publicly an ally of Hezbollah, described Israel's attacks on [[Hezbollah]] to US Ambassador [[Jeffrey Feltman]] as being "like honey", and hoped that Israel would complete its mission against Hezbollah quickly. He suggested that the IDF "markedly improve its targeting intelligence to make air strikes more effective. Either that, or they would have to wipe Hizballah out of the south with a ground offensive." He also suggested that "if Israel succeeds in weakening Hizballah militarily, then he will be more willing to weaken them politically".<ref>[http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=06BEIRUT2407 Berri says cease-fire necessary eventually, but for now, Israeli strikes are lile honey]</ref>
==International Level==

⚫
Since 1993, he chairs the '''Union of Parliamentarians of Lebanese Descent''' including 156 members of parliament and senators from 19 countries.<ref name=Nabih>{{cite news|title=Nabih Berry Biography|url=http://lp.gov.lb/admin/uploads/files/CV%20President%20Berry%20En.pdf }}</ref>
According the cables, Berri receives USD 400,000 a month from [[Iran]], using a fourth of the sum to shore up his support and pocketing the rest.<ref>[http://wikileaks.org/cable/2006/04/06BEIRUT1090.html Amal-Hizballah Marriage Weakening Amal But May Open A Way For Other Shia]</ref>

==Corruption==
{{see also|Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (Middle East)#Corruption of Nabih Berri}}
During his tenure as speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Berri is estimated to have gathered a fortune of over USD 2 Billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikileaks.org/cable/2006/04/06BEIRUT1090.html|title=06Beirut1090|publisher=Wikileaks|date=7 April 2006|accessdate=10 March 2013}}</ref>

Among the earliest examples of Berri's corruption early in his tenure as speaker of parliament was a coastal motorway in southern Lebanon which was overpriced by three digit million USD sum, and whose contract was won by a firm run by Berri's wife, Randa Assi.<ref>Johnson, Michael (2001). ''[http://books.google.com.lb/books?id=Zydtz0dDntQC&pg=PA236&dq=nabih+berri+corrupt&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZxUgUfzVJqLy4QSK8oGQCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=nabih%20berri%20corrupt&f=false All Honorable Men: The Social Origins Of War In Lebanon]'', p.236</ref><ref>Schwerna, Tobias (2010). ''[http://books.google.fr/books?id=9O6aZGPkqoUC&pg=PA128&dq=berri+nabih+solidere&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UCkiUbXWD4io0QWK64GwDA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=berri&f=false Lebanon: A Model of Consociational Conflict]'', p.128</ref>

He was considered by [[Rafik Hariri]] to be "irredeemably corrupt and unreliable", as well as an opportunist,<ref>Blanford, Nicholas (2006). ''[http://books.google.com.lb/books?id=tBfDB18OHY0C&pg=PA118&dq=nabih+berri+corrupt&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZxUgUfzVJqLy4QSK8oGQCw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=nabih%20berri%20corrupt&f=false Killing Mr. Lebanon: The Assasination of Rafik Hariri and Its Impact on the Middle East]'', p. 118</ref> and is thought to maintain his support base through access to state funds.

Berri's current wife Randa's sister, Samira Assi, is said to have made a fortune by getting a contract from Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] to print one million copies of Gaddafi's "Green Book".<ref>[http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0012_ld1.htm Nabih Berri profile - Middle East Intelligence Bulletin]</ref> Assi's deals are seen as highly controversial, since the founder of the [[Amal Movement]], [[Musa al-Sadr]], is known to have been disappeared on the orders of Gaddafi himself.

==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Nabih berri is married to Randa Assi Berri.<ref name=gary2001july>{{cite journal|last=Gambill|first=Gary C.|author2=Ziad K. Abdelnour|title=Dossier: Rafiq Hariri|journal=Middle East Intelligence Bulletin|date=July 2001|volume=3|issue=7|url=http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0107_ld1.htm|accessdate=17 March 2013}}</ref>
Nabih berri is married to Randa Assi Berri.<ref name=gary2001july>{{cite journal|last=Gambill|first=Gary C.|coauthors=Ziad K. Abdelnour|title=Dossier: Rafiq Hariri|journal=Middle East Intelligence Bulletin|date=July 2001|volume=3|issue=7|url=http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0107_ld1.htm|accessdate=17 March 2013}}</ref>

==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon}}
{{Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=78827217}}
{{Authority control|VIAF=78827217}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Berri, Nabih
| NAME =Berri, Nabih

Revision as of 19:05, 24 August 2014

Nabih Berri
Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon
In office
20 October 1992 – present
PresidentElias Hrawi
Émile Lahoud
Michel Sleiman
Preceded byHussein el-Husseini
Personal details
Born (1938-01-28) 28 January 1938 (age 86)
Bo, Sierra Leone
NationalityLebanese
Political partyAmal Movement
SpouseRanda Berri
Websitewww.nabihberry.com

Nabih Berri (Template:Lang-ar; born 28 January 1938) is the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon. He heads the Amal Movement.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents on 28 January 1938.[4]

Berri went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon, then continued his education in Bint Jbeil and Jaafariya supplementary schools in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut. He graduated top of his class with a Law degree from the Lebanese University in 1963, where he had served as the student body president, and became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. He also graduated from Paris-Sorbonne University in France.[5] During the 1960s, he joined the Arab Nationalist Movement.

Early career

During 1963, Berri was elected as president of the National Union of Lebanese Students, and participated to student and political conferences. During his early career he became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. In the early 1970s, Berri worked in Beirut as a lawyer for several companies.

In 1980, Berri was elected leader of the Amal Movement, leading the resistance against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. He remains president until today due to fact that the general conferences of Amal Movement reelected him each time as head of the Movement. He was the key player of the Intifada of 6 February 1984 against the sectarian regime, an uprising which produced the Taif Agreement between the Lebanese parties.

Berri also joined the National Unity government as minister of state for South Lebanon and reconstruction under Prime Minister Rashid Karami in May 1984.[6] He also served as the minister of housing and co-operatives.[3]

Later political career

Berri served as a cabinet minister from 1984 till 1992:[3]

  • April 30, 1984 to September 22, 1988: Minister of Justice in the government of Rashid Karami.[7]
  • November 25, 1989 to December 24, 1990: Minister of Hydraulic& Electric Resources in the government of Selim Hoss.
  • November 25, 1989 to December 24, 1990: Minister of Housing& Cooperatives in the government of Selim Hoss.
  • May 16, 1992 to October 31, 1992: Minister of state in the government of Rachid Solh.[7]

He is reported to have the biggest influence in the Lebanese government formed after the Taif Accord.[8]

Berri headed the list of "Liberation" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 6 September 1992, which was won in full. The other lists he headed were "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 8 September 1996, which was won in full. Since 1992 he chairs the Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc. Berri headed the list of "Resistance and Development" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 3 September 2000, which was won in full. He also headed the list of Liberation and Development in the parliamentary elections which took place in June 2005, which was won in full. Currently, Berri heads the list of "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009. All the members of the Bloc won the elections on 2009.

Speaker Nabih Berri was always and still a big supporter of the dialogue between all the Lebanese parties, religions and sects, during the last national dialogue session in May 2014, Speaker Nabih Berri has stressed that "power-sharing between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon would not change under any circumstance saying he was speaking on behalf of Shiites, Sunnis and Druze". [9]

Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon

He was elected Speaker of the parliament of Lebanon for the first time on 20 October 1992 (105 votes out of 124 votes).[10] He was re-elected for a second time on 22 October 1996 (122 votes out of 126 votes). He was elected to the same post three more times on 17 October 2000 unanimously (124 votes out of 126 votes), on 28 June 2005 (90 votes out of 126 votes)[11] and on 25 June 2009 (90 votes out of 127 votes)[3]

During his time at office, several laws were passed, notably the laws regarding Public Freedoms (Human rights, rights of the disabled, women's rights). He is the biggest supporter of the Abolition of political sectarianism, Strengthening the independence of the judiciary system, strengthening public institutions and municipalities and restoring the role of the Economic and Social Council. He is a supporter of a modern electoral law on the basis of relativity.

Arab World

Since 1999, he chairs the Arab Parliament Committee in charge of disclosing the Israeli crimes against Arab civilians. On 3 June 2003, he was elected president of the Arab Parliament and handed the presidency in Damascus on March 1, 2004 for a period of two years. He was elected president of the Council of the Parliamentary Union of the Member States.[3]

Islamic Level

Nabih Berri was elected President of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States in Dakar-Senegal in March 9, 2004 until March 9, 2006.[3]

International Level

Since 1993, he chairs the Union of Parliamentarians of Lebanese Descent including 156 members of parliament and senators from 19 countries.[3]

Personal life

Nabih berri is married to Randa Assi Berri.[12]

References

  1. ^ Fandy, Mamoun (2007). (Un)civil war of words: media and politics in the Arab world. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-275-99393-1. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  2. ^ Nir, Omri (15 February 2011). Nabih Berri and Lebanese Politics. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-10535-5. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Nabih Berry Biography" (PDF). Cite error: The named reference "Nabih" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Nabih Berri". Wars of Lebanon. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Nabih Berry Biography" (PDF).
  6. ^ Owen, Roger (October 1984). "The Lebanese Crisis: Fragmentation or Reconciliation?". Third World Quarterly. 6 (4): 934–949. doi:10.1080/01436598408419807. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Minister of justice". FamousWhy.
  8. ^ Haddad, Simon (April 2002). "Cultural diversity and sectarian attitudes in postwar Lebanon" (PDF). Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. 28 (2): 291–306. doi:10.1080/13691830220124341. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  9. ^ "No change in power-sharing formula in Lebanon".
  10. ^ "Nabih Berri Facts". YourDictionary, Under Syria's Influence part.
  11. ^ Mallat, Chibli. Lebanon's Cedar Revolution An essay on non-violence and justice (PDF). Mallat. p. 122.
  12. ^ Gambill, Gary C. (July 2001). "Dossier: Rafiq Hariri". Middle East Intelligence Bulletin. 3 (7). Retrieved 17 March 2013. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

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