Nationality Lebanese Role Member of Parliament Political party Hezbollah Education Lebanese University | Religion Shi'a Islam Party Hezbollah Name Mohammad Raad | |
Born 1 January 1955 (age 69)
Beirut, Lebanon ( 1955-01-01 ) Similar People Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, Imad Mughniyah, Ali Akbar Mohtashamipur | ||
Mohammad Raad (Arabic:محمد رعد; born 1 January 1955) is a Shia Lebanese member of parliament representing the Nabatiyeh district. He presides Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in the Lebanese parliament, which is part of the 8 March Alliance.
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Early life and education
Raad was born into a Shia family in Beirut in 1955. His family is originally from the village of Jbaa in western Bekaa Valley. He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, which he received from Lebanese University.
Career
Raad is one of the leading figures of Hezbollah and the only member of the party to occupy his seat in Parliament (representing Nabatiyah) since 1992. He is one of the "ideologues" of the party, a member of its executive committee and former chair of its political council. Raad has been a key political player and has been elected by the Iranian Majlis as Lebanon's only representative on the Iranian Guardian Council. He won a seat from Nabatiyeh in the general elections held in 2000. He has been president of the Hezbollah's Block loyalty to the Resistance since 2000.
Following the military action of July–August 2006 conducted by Israel against the Lebanon, and with the resumption of dialogue sessions headed by Nabih Berri, Hassan Nasrallah appointed Mohammad Raad as personal representative on the negotiating table.
Raad is among potential candidates for general secretary of Hezbollah if Nasrallah will be "supreme guide" of the organization and the power allocated to the post of general secretary will be reduced.
Political views
Raad recognizes that Lebanon is a country of partnerships, where dialogue must be preserved. Honesty is essential to Raad's idea of dialogue. He supports stronger ties with Iran. On 11 October 2011, he referred to the American ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman, as an "Israeli agent" and suggested that there are "many" Israeli collaborators working with 14 March alliance.