Issam Fares, Former Deputy Prime Minister,
Akkar MP, Banker & Businessman

Place and Date of Birth: Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, in 1937; Son of Mikhael George Fares and Sara Salloum
Sect: Greek Orthodox
Marital status: Married to Hala Fares, with 4 children: Michel, Nijad, Fares and Nour.
Education: A graduate of Tripoli College, he holds several honorary doctorates in economics from American and other international universities, notably Tafts University of Boston.
Professional Background: Fares began his career with the Abela group of companies in Lebanon and abroad. Fares founded a group of banks in the US, Europe and the Middle East, and owns a group of companies which employ 70,000 people. He heads a wide conglomerate of banks, factories and companies in the Middle East, Europe and the United States, using the WEDGE group as his investment vehicle.
Current Political Status:   Parliament Member.
Political Career: Elected deputy on September 1, 1996, reelected in 2000. Appointed Deputy Prime Minister in Rafic Hariri's fourth government (October 26, 2000 to April 15, 2003), and in Hariri's fifth government (April 17, 2003 to October 26, 2004). He was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister in Omar Karami's government (October 26, 2004 to April 19, 2005).
Philanthropic Activities: Founder of the Fares Foundation, whose activities include providing scholarships to students; supporting universities and schools, hospitals and infirmaries, and agricultural projects.
Contact Information: Office: Sofil Center - Charles Malek Avenue - Achrafieh - Beirut - Lebanon. Tel: (+961) (1) 201755 - 201772/3 - (3) 665227 - 381361 - Fax: (1) 203999 - P.O. Box: 16-5169, Beirut. Residence: 961 (3) 380084 - 961 (4) 960601.
Web Links: Detailed biography from private web site