Berri, Nabih (1939– )

Lebanese politician and soldier, leader of Amal (‘Hope’), the Syrian-backed Shiite nationalist movement. He became minister of justice in the government of President Amin Gemayel in 1984. In 1988 Amal was disbanded after defeat by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah (‘Party of God’) during the Lebanese civil wars, and Berri joined the cabinet of Selim Hoss in 1989. In December 1990 Berri was made minister of state in the newly formed Karami cabinet, and in 1992 retained the same post in the cabinet of Rashid al-Sohl. He subsequently became president of the national assembly.