Mohamad Chatah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mohamad Chatah
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| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 11 July 2008 – 9 November 2009 |
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| Prime Minister | Fouad Siniora |
| Preceded by | Jihad Azour |
| Succeeded by | Raya Haffar al-Hassan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mohamad Bahaa Chatah
7 March 1951 Tripoli, Lebanon |
| Died | 27 December 2013 (aged 62) Beirut |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Political party | Future Movement |
| Children | Ronnie Chatah Omar Chatah |
| Alma mater | American University in Beirut University of Texas |
| Website | Chatah blog |
Mohamad Chatah (Arabic: محمد شطح; 7 March 1951 – 27 December 2013) was an important Lebanese economist and diplomat. He worked to help his country's economy and represented Lebanon in other countries. He also served as a government minister.
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Mohamad Chatah's Early Life and Education
Mohamad Chatah was born in Tripoli, Lebanon. He loved learning about how countries manage their money, which is called economics. He studied economics at the American University in Beirut in Lebanon. Later, he earned a special advanced degree, called a doctorate, from the University of Texas in the United States. After finishing his studies, he even taught economics at the University of Texas.
Working for Lebanon and the World
In 1983, Mohamad Chatah started working for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF is an organization that helps countries around the world with their money problems. He worked there as a special helper to a director.
From 1997 to 2000, he was the Ambassador for Lebanon in the U.S.. An ambassador is like a country's main representative in another country. He helped build good relationships between Lebanon and the United States.
After his time as ambassador, he returned to the IMF in 2001 and stayed until 2005. In 2005, he went back to Lebanon to become a senior adviser to the new Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora. He helped the Prime Minister with important decisions.
During the 2006 Lebanon War in July 2006, Mohamad Chatah spoke for the Lebanese government on many news channels. He explained Lebanon's situation to the world. He also worked as a vice-governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon, which is like the main bank of the country.
Serving as a Minister
In July 2008, Mohamad Chatah became the Minister of Finance for Lebanon. This means he was in charge of the country's money and budget. He held this important job until November 2009.
After that, from 2009 to 2011, he advised Prime Minister Saad Hariri on foreign policy. This involved helping with how Lebanon dealt with other countries. He was connected to the Future Movement, a political group in Lebanon, but he was also seen as an independent voice in politics.
A Tragic Event
On 27 December 2013, a car bomb exploded in Beirut, Lebanon. Mohamad Chatah was in his car convoy when the bomb went off. This terrible event killed eight people, including Mohamad Chatah, and injured many others. The attack was seen as a political assassination, meaning it was a planned attack to kill him because of his political role.
Leaders from other countries, like US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry, spoke out against the attack. They called it a terrorist act.
See also
- List of assassinated Lebanese politicians
