Najib A. Mikati
Former Prime Minister of Lebanon


Najib A. Mikati is the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, and presently Deputy for Tripoli, North Lebanon, in the Lebanese Parliement. He began his political career when he held, between 1998 and 2004 and in three consecutive cabinets, the portfolio of the ministry of Public Works and Transport. In 2000, he was elected Deputy for Tripoli, North Lebanon, in the Lebanese Parliament, until 2005, when he became Prime Minister of Lebanon. During his mandate, he steered the country towards notable democratic elections.

He is the co-founder of M1 Group, a multi-billion dollar privately-owned financial and industrial conglomerate with interests in telecom, asset management, luxury retail trade, real estate, transport, as well as oil and gas.

Before entering politics, he co-founded INVESTCOM, a leading telecom family business which pioneered telephony in emerging markets and was later merged into MTN after its shares were listed on both the London and Dubai stock exchanges, in what was the largest international listing of a Middle Eastern company.

He is responsible for core policy guidance and analysis, bridging the private and public sectors. He is currently member of the Board of Trustees at the American University of Beirut, and a senior member of the Dean’s International Council at the Harris School of Public Policy, the University of Chicago, as well as a member of the International Advisory Council of ‘International Crisis Group’. He is also Founder and President of think-tank Middle East Prospects Forum.

Born in 1955, Premier Mikati was educated at the American University of Beirut, at INSEAD, and at Harvard University. A philanthropist, he engages in a number of benevolent activities, spanning Lebanese and international medical, academic, and charitable associations and organizations.

He is married and lives in Lebanon with his wife May. They have three children.