Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati attends former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Farid Makari's funeral in northern Lebanon on Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Farid Makari was laid to rest during a funeral Friday morning in northern Lebanon attended by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other officials. Makari, a former information minister under Rafik Hariri, was known for having been a part of the March 14 political bloc.
Here’s what we know:
• The former minister and deputy speaker passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75 after a struggle with lung cancer, according to the state-run National News Agency.
• Makari had occupied the Greek Orthodox seat for Koura (North Lebanon) in the country’s 1992 Parliament. He was re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2009 and was also appointed Minister of Information under Rafik Hariri in 1995 and 1996.
• Farid Makari was part of the Future Movement party associated with Rafik Hariri and led by his son Saad Hariri following the former's assassination in 2005.