Marwan Hamadeh is a Lebanese Druze politician who served as a minister in several cabinets and as a member of Parliament for more than one term representing the Druze seat in the Chouf, as a representative of the Progressive Socialist Party.
Born in the town of Baakline in the Chouf District in 1939. He holds a law degree from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon, obtained in 1963, and also holds a degree in economic sciences.
He comes from a journalistic and political Druze family; his father was the diplomat Mohammed Ali Hamadeh, his brother is the journalist Ali Hamadeh, his sister is the poet Nadia Hamadeh Tueni (wife of the journalist Ghassan Tueni), and his nephew is the journalist Gebran Tueni.
Career in Journalism
Between 1964 and 1975, he worked in journalism, serving at the newspaper "L'Orient," then as assistant editor-in-chief. He also served as a correspondent for the French magazine "Le Point" and worked for the magazine "An-Nahar Arab & International," published in Paris.
In 1977, he was a member of the Druze Council for Research and Development. Between 1977 and 1980, he served as Chairman of the Board and General Manager of the An-Nahar group.
Parliamentary and Ministerial Career
In 1991, following the Taif Agreement, he was appointed as a deputy for the Druze seat in Mount Lebanon.
He served as a minister multiple times in Lebanese governments:
From October 25, 1980, to October 7, 1982, he was Minister of Tourism in the government of Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan under President Elias Sarkis.
From December 24, 1990, to May 16, 1992, he was Minister of Economy and Trade in the government of Prime Minister Omar Karami under President Elias Hrawi.
From May 16, 1992, to October 31, 1992, he was Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Public Health in the government of Prime Minister Rachid Solh under President Elias Hrawi. On October 31, 1992, he was reappointed Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Public Health in the government of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri under President Elias Hrawi, serving in the position until May 25, 1995.
From May 25, 1995, to November 7, 1996, he was Minister of Public Health in the government of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri under President Elias Hrawi.
From October 26, 2000, to April 17, 2003, he was Minister of Displaced Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri under President Émile Lahoud.
On April 17, 2003, he was appointed Minister of Economy and Trade in the government of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri under President Émile Lahoud. On September 9, 2004, he resigned along with the members of the Progressive Socialist Party in opposition to the constitutional amendment and the extension of President Émile Lahoud's term.
From July 19, 2005, to July 11, 2008, he was Minister of Telecommunications in the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora under President Émile Lahoud.
Assassination Attempt
He was elected as a member of the Lebanese Parliament for the Druze seat in the Chouf from 1996 until the 2022 elections. He is a member of the board of directors of the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar.
On October 1, 2004, he was targeted in a failed assassination attempt, from which he miraculously survived, earning him the title of the "living martyr." However, his bodyguard, Ghazi Abu Karoum, was killed in the attack.
