NATIONAL POSITIONS

- Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Lebanon.
- Chairman of numerous governmental committees.
- Member of Parliament.
- Leading spokesman for Lebanon in the region and abroad.

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

- Transformed the office of Deputy Prime Minister to a hub of political activity
and to the preparation of serious studies on all issues submitted to the
Council of Ministers.
- A catalyst in conciliating conflicting views amongst the ministers, deputies,
and higher officials.
- Hosts leading world figures and arranges for them to dialogue with Lebanese
officials with the view of improving Lebanon’s ties with the rest of the world.
- Supports rigorous studies that will help decision-makers take the right decisions
on Lebanon.

EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The many activities and services that Mr. Fares offers to Lebanon are conducted by the Fares Foundation. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees and is managed by a full-time Director and his staff.

The Foundation supports NGO’s and individuals with public welfare projects in Lebanon without regard to religious, political, or ideological affiliations.

The Foundation’s activities include:
- Providing scholarships to needy students in universities in Lebanon.
- Supporting universities in introducing development programs, in constructing buildings, and laboratories, in furnishing laboratories, and in developing their computer infrastructure. Among the major beneficiaries of the Foundation are leading private universities like the American University of Beirut, the University of Balamand, and Notre Dame University. The Foundation also supports secondary and elementary schools specially in the needy rural regions of Lebanon.
Of equal importance is the Foundation’s funding of hospitals, of infirmaries, and of the many health and rehabilitation centers that were established after the war mostly by Christian and Islamic philanthropic organizations.

The Foundation gives special importance to the development of rural regions by opening roads, digging wells, and introducing new technologies and training programs.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Mr. Fares has supported universities and projects in the US, Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. Of special note is his support to Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA where major projects carry his name: The Fares Equine Center, the Fares Chair, the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, and now world-renowned “Issam M. Fares Lecture Series” which hosted lectures by leaders like George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell.

In Moscow Mr. Fares has supported the Diplomatic Academy and the philanthropic programs of Patriarch Alexey.

In Lebanon the Issam M. Fares Chair at the University of Balamand provides the country with a forum for regional and world leaders to express themselves freely on international issues as they pertain to the Middle Eastern region.

BUSINESS INTERESTS

Mr. Fares started his career as a businessman in the Arabian Gulf, then moved to investment, and to the founding of corporations in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These corporations, ranging from industry, to services, to trade, and to communication media, employ over 70,000 people.

The corporations under the name of Wedge Group include Wedge Trust Corporation, Wedge Bank, Wedge Real Estate, Minefa Holdings and Farinvest.

Mr. Fares business style involves a high form of decentralization giving maximum elbow-room to the Chief Executive Officers. His management philosophy stems from his faith in people and from the trust he nurtures with all those who work for him

COMMUNICATION

As a leading Lebanese statesman with extensive connection in the region and in the West, Mr. Fares is called upon frequently to deliver lectures, to participate in panel discussions, and to issue statements on topical subjects. He has lectured at the Council on Foreign Relations, at Tufts University, at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, at the University of Balamand and frequently at special political events in Lebanon. As Deputy Prime Minister his office has published these speeches in two documentary volumes.

As member of the Government his position on international, regional, and national affairs reflects not only his convictions but represents, in part, the position of the Government.

HONORS AND AWARDS

In appreciation of his national services and philanthropic activities Mr. Fares was honored by nations, universities, churches, and private organizations of all types.

Among his honors and awards are:

- St. Aphrem the Syrian decoration for Commander
- Commandoria with Star of the Order of Merit-Poland
- The Medal of Saint Petersburg's Tercentenary (Russian Federation)
- "Lifetime achievement award" - American Task Force for Lebanon (Washington)
- Order of the Prince Yaroslav the Wise 2nd rank (Ukraine)
- Doctorate Honoris causa from the Diplomatic Academy (Moscow)
- Doctorate Honoris causa from Tufts University
- “Officier” of the national order (Lebanon)
- Grand Officer” of the national order (Lebanon)
- The Medal of Saints Peter and Paul (Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate)
- “Grand Cordon de Jean Baptiste (Antiochian Orthodx Church)
- The Grand Cordon of Archon Depoutatos (Patriarchate of Constantinople)
- The Grand Cordon of Saint Daniel (Patriarchate of Moscow and all Russia)
- Legion d’honneur – Grand Officier (France)
- Gold Decoration – World Maronite Foundation
- Gold Medal of Merit Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York
and North America
- The Gold Medal – Maronite Central Council (Lebanon)
- The Grand Cross of the Phoenix (Greece)
- Prize of the International Foundation for the Unity of the Orthodox Nations
(Patriarchate of Moscow and all the Russia)
- The Golden Medal of Acropole (UNESCO)
- Alahd National Merit (Algeria)
- Grand Commander Makarios the Third (Cyprus)
- Union Order (Yemen)
- Order of " Stara Platina" first rank (Bulgaria)
- The Honorary Golden Medal of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria

PERSONAL

Born in Bayno, Lebanon, 1937
Married to Hala Fares
His children are: Michael, Nijad, Fares, and Noor