Siniora, Fouad [key], 1943–, Lebanese business and political leader, prime minister of Lebanon, (2005–9), b. Sidon. He pursued a career in banking and finance, holding positions at the Central Bank of Lebanon (1977–82) and later running the financial interests of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Siniora also served as finance minister under Hariri, and called for an international tribunal to investigate Hariri's assassination (2005). In 2005 legislative elections, he led an anti-Syrian, pro-Western coalition, and subsequently became prime minister. Sectarian divisions plagued his broad-based unity government, which attempted to continue Lebanon's recovery from its late 20th cent. civil war.
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