Lebanon is a country in Western Asia. It borders Syria, Israel, Cyprus, and the Mediterranean Basin. It is a parliamentary democracy which bases its politics on a system called confessionalism whose aim is to deter sectarian differences and ensure fair representation. The prime minister of Lebanon is the head of government who is appointed by the president after consultation with the parliament. The premier is traditionally appointed from the Sunni Muslims as per the unwritten understanding known as the National Pact which was agreed in 1943.

　　

Prime Ministers

Abdul Hamid Karami

Abdul Hamid Karami was a political and religious leader who had an Arabic Nationalistic inclination. He was a prominent Sunni Muslim who became a Mufti of Tripoli. Abdul Hamid Karami took part in a movement that pushed for Lebanese independence which was achieved in 1943. On January 10, 1945, he was appointed Lebanese Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, a position he held briefly until August 20, 1945. Abdul Hamid Karami survived an assassination attempt in 1944.

　　

Riad Al Solh

Riad Al Solh was the first prime minister of Lebanon after independence. He has served as the country’s prime minister twice. His first term was immediately after independence from September 1943 to January 1945. He was again appointed the prime minister on December 14, 1946, and served until February 14, 1951. Riad Al Solh helped in the implementation of the National Pact. He also served as Minister of Supplies and Reserves. He played a key role in the granting blessings to All-Palestine Government. Riad Al Solh was assassinated on July 17, 1951, by the members of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.

　　

Sami Solh

Sami Solh was a relative to Riad Al Solh, Lebanon’s prime minister after independence. He served as a member of parliament for Beirut and also as Lebanese Prime Minister for five terms. He was first appointed the prime minister on July 26, 1942, a position he held until after independence on May 22, 1943. He was again appointed prime minister from August 23, 1945, to May 22, 1946, for the second term, and from February 11, 1952, to September 9, 1952, September 16, 1954 to September 19, 1955, and November 18, 1956, to September 20, 1958, for the other three terms. He was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of York and Arrow in 1952. Sami Solh died in 1968 in Beirut.

　　

Saad Hariri

Saad Hariri is the incumbent Lebanese Prime Minister. He was appointed the prime minister for the second term in 2016 having served for the first term from 2009 to June 2011. His first term ended with the collapse of his government in what was viewed as the inability of the government make some crucial decisions that would move the country forward. Hariri is the son of Rafic Hariri who is a former Prime Minister assassinated in 2005. Hariri is listed as the 595th richest person in the world by Forbes.

　　

Functions of Prime Minister

The prime minister is the head of Lebanese government and presides over ministerial meetings which discuss and reviews government matters. He or she assists the President in the formation of cabinet and designating portfolios. The prime minister countersigns all the presidential decrees and represents the cabinet on the floor of parliament. He or she supervises the activities of different ministries.