Victor Kassir (1910–1997) was a Lebanese businessman and politician who was the deputy prime minister and minister of industry and economy between 1984 and 1988.

Early life and education

Kassir was born in Beirut in 1910. He descended from a

Greek Orthodox The term Greek Orthodox Church (Greek language, Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the Eastern Orthodox Church, entire body of Orthodox (Chalced ...

family. He received a bachelor's degree in commercial sciences in 1930 from

Saint Joseph University Saint Joseph University of Beirut ( French: ''Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth'', abbreviated to and commonly known as "USJ") is a private Catholic research university located in Beirut, Lebanon, which was founded in 1875 by French Jesuit mis ...

in Beirut.

Career

Following his graduation Kassir began to involve in business. In 1958 he was elected as a member of the Orthodox Finance Council. He headed the merchants association from 1972 to 1994. He was a member of the advisory committee of the

Banque du Liban Banque du Liban (BdL, ar, مصرف لبنان, English: Bank of Lebanon) is the central bank of Lebanon. It was established on August 1, 1963, and became fully operational on April 1, 1964. It is currently headed by Riad Salameh. One of the ma ...

, a member of the Beirut Club, and a board member of the Banque Libano-Francaise. In fact, Kassir was one of the owners of the latter together with Farid Raphael and the Kassar brothers, Adnan and Nadim. Kassir was the deputy prime minister and the minister of economy and industry in the

cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...

led by

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...

Rashid Karami in the period 29 April 1984–22 September 1988.

Personal life and death

Kassir was married to Bert Merhej, and they had four children. He died on 13 October 1997.

Awards

Kassir was the recipient of the following: * National Order of the Cedar (rank of officer) *

Order of Merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...

(rank of commander) * Order of Saint Peter the Great

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kassir, Viktor 20th-century Lebanese businesspeople 1910 births 1997 deaths Businesspeople from Beirut Economy and Trade ministers of Lebanon Greek Orthodox Christians from Lebanon Officers of the National Order of the Cedar Recipients of the Order of Merit (Lebanon) Deputy prime ministers of Lebanon Saint Joseph University alumni People of the Lebanese Civil War