Fayez Ghosn

Fayez Ghosn (Arabic: فايز غصن‎‎) (born 28 June 1950) is a Lebanese politician, the former minister of defense, and a member of the Marada Movement.

Early life

Ghosn hails from a powerful Orthodox Christian family from with origins in Northern Lebanon. He was born in Kousba on 28 June 1950.

Career

Ghosn is a member of the Lebanon's Christian political party Marada, which is a supporter of Hezbollah and Syria's president Bashar Assad. He is a journalist and businessman. He became a parliament member, representing Koura after winning a seat in the general elections of 2000. He chaired the Lebanese Parliament’s budget and finance committee in 2000. In the 2005 general elections, he was on a list of candidates backed by Michel Aoun. In the general elections of 2009, Ghosn ran for a seat from Koura, but he could not win the election.

He was appointed minister of defense in June 2011. He is part of the March 8 coalition and the Change and Reform bloc in Najib Mikati's cabinet. Ghosn's term ended on 15 February 2014 and Samir Mouqbel replaced him as defense minister.

Views

Ghosn is a supporter of Iran, arguing that Iran contributes to stability in the Middle East countries. In December 2011, Ghosn claimed that Al Qaeda militants were entering Lebanon under the guise of Syrian opposition members.

Personal life

Ghosn is married to Yona Hakim, who is the daughter of former law maker Bakhos Hakim, and has two children.