Hussein Al Oweini

Hussein Al Oweini
Born	Template:Birth date Beirut, Lebanon
Died	January 11, 1971(1971-01-11) (aged 70)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1923–1969
Known for	Prime Minister of Lebanon, founder of BLOM Bank

Hussein Al Oweini (; born 24 December 1900 – died 11 January 1971) was a prominent Lebanese entrepreneur and political figure who held the office of Prime Minister of Lebanon on two separate occasions. Throughout his career, he occupied multiple ministerial roles.

Early life

Born in 1900 in Beirut, Oweini hailed from a Sunni Muslim family.

Career

Between 1923 and 1947, Oweini operated in Saudi Arabia as a commercial representative for the House of Saud, during which time he established the Riyadh-based company Ne'ma Te'ma. His business ventures extended to Beirut, where he was an investor and part-owner of Air Liban via the Busson Group alongside partners Antoine Sahnawi, Michel Khattar, and Georges Karam. Additionally, he co-managed a local insurance company affiliated with the French firm Union Nationale.

Oweini held the position of finance minister from July 1948 until June 1951. On 14 February 1951, he was appointed as interim prime minister under President Bechara El Khoury, taking over from Riad Al Solh and serving until 7 April 1951, when Abdullah Yafi succeeded him. In the same year, he played a foundational role in establishing BLOM Bank, a major Lebanese financial institution.

On 27 September 1957, Oweini, together with former prime ministers Saeb Salam and Abdallah El-Yafi, faced arrest due to accusations linked to an alleged coup attempt connected to the May elections. His second tenure as prime minister spanned from 20 February 1964 to 25 July 1965 during President Charles Helou’s administration; his term was both preceded and followed by Rashid Karami. He was also the leader of the National Front political faction.

Oweini served three separate terms as foreign affairs and emigrants minister (1958–1960, 1965, and 1968–1969). During his last term, he simultaneously fulfilled duties as national defense minister.

Personal life and death

He was married to Chafica Jaroudi. Their daughter, Nada Oweini, holds shares in BLOM Bank and is married to Ghassan Chaker, a businessman with Saudi-Lebanese ties.

Hussein Al Oweini passed away on 11 January 1971 at the age of 70. To commemorate his legacy, the Hussein Al Oweini Award was created.