Rashid Karami

Rashid Abdul Hamid Karami (30 December 1921 –1 June 1987) (Arabic: رشيد كرامي‎) was a Lebanese statesman. He was one of the most important political figures in Lebanon for more than 30 years, including during much of Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), and he served as prime minister eight times.

Early life and education

Rashid Karami was born in Miryata, a village about 15 miles north of Tripoli, on 30 December 1921 into one of Lebanon's most prominent Sunni political families. He was the eldest son of Abdul Hamid Karami, an architect of Lebanese independence from France. His father was also the Grand Mufti, or supreme religious judge, of Tripoli, and served as Prime Minister in 1945. His younger brother, Omar Karami, served as prime minister two times, most recently from 2004 to 2005. Rashid Karami graduated from Cairo University with a law degree in the 1942.

Career

Karami established a legal practice in Tripoli. He was first elected to the National Assembly in 1951 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of his father. He retained this seat until his death in 1987. In the same year, he became minister of justice in the government led by Prime Minister Hussein Al Oweini. In 1953, he was also appointed minister of the economy and social affairs in Abdallah El-Yafi's government.