Seven governments have held power in Lebanon between 31 October 1992 and 26 November 2004, with a total of 107, it’s not below different ministers in office. Five of those governments have been headed by Rafik Hariri, one by Salim Al Hoss and the present government, by Omar Karami.

In this review, “Information International” examines the ministerial declarations and promises made by each government, as well as ministerial posts held and ministers’ terms.

Seven governments

In the summer of 1992, parliamentary elections took place for the first time in 20 years. The Hariri administration had 30 ministers, compared with only 16 in the Hoss government and the highest number, 34, in the Karami administration. The highest votes of confidence were seen in Hariri’s first administration and the lowest were in Karami’s latest government. The longest reign was also held by the first Hariri administration.

196 ministers have served in the last seven governments, but if those who have served more than once are discounted, the actual number of different ministers is 107.

Ministry occupations

• 62 ministers occupied a ministerial post once, out of which 12 had headed a ministry before 1992.
• 15 ministers occupied the post twice, out of which 5 had headed a ministry before 1992.
• 22 ministers occupied the post three times, out of which 2 had headed a ministry before 1992.
• 4 ministers occupied the post four times, out of which 3 had headed a ministry before 1992.
• 3 ministers occupied the post five times, out of which 1 had headed a ministry before 1992.
• 1 minister, who also headed a ministry before 1992, occupied the post six times under the last seven governments.
• Minister Fouad Sinioura occupied the same post for almost 10 years.

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