Quick Facts
Biography
Ali Khalil Qanso, (Arabic: علي قانصوه), or Kanso, is a Lebanese politician and is minister of state for parliamentary affairs in the second cabinet of Saad Hariri. He is the president of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and he served as minister of state in Najib Mikati government and precedently minister of labor in the cabinet of Rafik Hariri.
Early life and education
Qanso was born into a Shiite family in 1948 in Doueir, Lebanon. He received bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in Arabic literature from Lebanese University.
Political career
Qanso was Minister for Labour of Lebanon in the government of Rafiq Hariri from 2000 to 2003. He was for the 2nd time head of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party from 5 August 2005 to July 2008. He again entered into government in July 2008 as Minister of State under Fouad Siniora with the backing of Hezbollah as part of the March 8 Alliance, although his appointment caused controversy and was initially vetoed by Siniora. On 5 August 2016, he was elected again as the head of SSNP.
