Lebanon Public Figure Directory
Elias Moukheiber was born in Beit Mery in 1968 to a businessman, Samir Moukheiber, and Georgette Nassib Massoud, from Sakiet el Misk near Bikfaya. His father was one of the founders and key players in the field of aviation through his activities in Alitalia and Iran Air in Lebanon and the whole Middle East region. His mother, a housewife, devoted her life to her children. Later, she assisted her husband in his work and founded her own company. Elias Moukheiber has two sisters: Catherine, who held high-rank positions in the banking sector and in major international financial firms, mainly in Madrid, Brussels and London where she resides with her American husband Michael Barzelay, a professor at the London School of Economics; and Lina, Director of Development at Saint George Hospital in Beirut. Moukheiber is also the nephew of the prominent Metn leader who was a member of parliament, a minister and a deputy parliament speaker for many years, the late Dr. Albert Moukheiber.
Elias is married to Maryam Jules Iskandar, grand-daughter of the late Maurice Gemayel who was often a minister and elected member of parliament. He was also elected President of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for two consecutive times. Elias and Maryam have two sons and a daughter: Samir, Mark and Julie.
Elias Moukheiber received primary and complementary education at the French Lycée in Beirut. But soon, the bloody events caused by the war took him away from his country and in 1984, he fled to Saint Julien en Genevois, in France where he spent two years studying at the Lycée Mme de Staël and there, he earned his French baccalaureate. He moved to Switzerland soon after and followed courses in political science and economics before moving to the United States to specialize in Government at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
He returned to Lebanon and graduated in 1997 from the Faculté de Droit de l’Université St. Joseph in Beirut with a Law Degree. After an internship at Charles Airut Law firm, he opened his own firm practicing private law, including corporate and real estate.
As a student, Elias Moukheiber followed the lead of Albert Moukheiber; thus he was not member of any party, at a time when political groupings were proliferating in schools. Elias was a vehement supporter of his uncle who staunchly rejected all forms of sectarianism and thus never supported warring parties back then.
In France, Elias founded at his school the “Foreign Students Club”, a cultural and political movement aiming at promoting foreign countries, cultures and civilizations. In Switzerland as well, Elias played a major role in associations of Lebanese Students overseas. In the United States, he participated in all the students’ demonstrations claiming Lebanon’s freedom, sovereignty and independence.
In 1996, along with other members of the family and friends, he joined the team campaigning for Dr. Moukheiber (known back then as the Opposition’s Civil Patriarch) who lost the elections. Finally, Dr. Moukheiber won a seat in parliament in the 2000 elections.
Elias Moukheiber played a major role in the 1998 municipal elections and the list he backed had a sweeping victory over opponents for the municipal board of Beit-Mery Ain-Saade. This couldn’t but strengthen his expertise in the political arena.
Elias Moukheiber, who considers that he could never give an objective opinion about Dr. Moukheiber, looks up to his uncle with great affection and esteem. Moreover, he believes that in his death, Dr. Moukheiber “touched the people in the Metn more than when he was alive, because they realized their loss and more importantly, they realized that no one could ever replace this outstanding figure.”
In an article published for the anniversary of Dr. Moukheiber’s death published on April 12, 2003 in An-Nahar daily, Elias Moukheiber said that “April 13 serves as a reminder for the Lebanese of the war and the lessons learned. April 13 also commemorates the passing of the great Dr. Albert Moukheiber, the wise politician who sowed in the Metn and throughout the country, the seeds of hope, political audacity and integrity in political stances. He vehemently defended ultimate national values and principles so as to reach reconciliation at times, more determinism at other times; to identify the friend and the foe, never fearing the speak the voice of the truth and only the truth.
…. As such we stand, we the followers of the ultimate national movement founded by Dr Albert Moukheiber; a movement that opposes to the bone every attempt to undermine Lebanon turning it into a haven for usury; a movement that also fervently supports the principles Dr Moukheiber fought for. They are the same principles that some tried to wipe out and cover up out of greed for power, which Dr. Moukheiber would have rejected for he has always been there for the people and his school belongs to the people. He who does not follow his path has no right to claim belonging to this school.
Dear followers faithful to Dr. Moukheiber’s legacy, rest assured that we will always be there for you and we will never agree to a bland and insipid policy.
We are at the core of the political life and ahead of us are more rounds to fight against corrupted enemies of Lebanon. As you have known Albert Moukheiber, you will always find us on your side at a time when each of us pays tribute to Albert Moukheiber to voice justice and bring down injustice”.
Elias Moukheiber, who has never lost touch with the grassroots, ran as an independent candidate for the 2005 parliamentary elections.