Beirut – Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri appointed his aunt, Bahia Hariri, as vice president of the Future Movement on Sunday, a move signaling a potential shift in the party’s leadership as it prepares to contest upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision was made during a joint meeting of the movement’s leadership and its political and executive bodies, according to reports.
Bahia Hariri, who currently chairs the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, brings significant political experience to the role. She previously served as a Member of Parliament representing Sidon from 1992 until 2022, and held the position of Minister of Education and Higher Learning from 2008 to 2009. Her long tenure in Lebanese politics and close familial ties to the Hariri family position her as a key figure within the Future Movement.
The appointment comes as Saad Hariri has been engaged in a series of meetings with international envoys, including the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, and representatives from the United Nations and France. These discussions, held at Beit el-Wasat, focused on recent local and regional developments, suggesting ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing political and economic crisis in Lebanon.
Bahia Hariri was born in Sidon in 1952, and is the sister of the late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. She graduated from the Teacher Training College in Sidon and initially worked as a teacher before becoming involved in the Hariri Foundation, established by her brother in 1979. The foundation is a prominent educational and charitable organization in Lebanon.
The Future Movement’s decision to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections marks a change in strategy, after previously signaling a withdrawal from the political process. The appointment of Bahia Hariri as vice president is seen as a step towards solidifying the party’s position and preparing for the electoral contest.
