Background
Shami was born into a Shiite family in 1945.
Shami was born into a Shiite family in 1945.
He received a bachelor"s degree in political science from Lebanese University in 1970 and a diploma again in political science from the University of Grenoble in 1971 as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from the same university in 1978.
He was Lebanon"s minister of foreign affairs and emigrants from 2009 to 2011. Shami is a retired university professor He taught in the college of law and political science at Lebanese University.
He was part of the committee in charge of writing a program for action of the government led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri in November 2009.
He was appointed minister of foreign affairs and emigrants to the cabinet led by Hariri on 9 November 2009. He succeeded Fawzi Salloukh as foreign minister.
Shami"s tenure ended in June 2011, and he was replaced by Adnan Mansour in the post.
Then he became a member of the Amal movement.
