When Speaker Nabih Berri was 54 years old when he was first elected to head Lebanon’s Parliament in 1992.  "Abu Mustafa" turned 77 this year and he will probably remain in his post for as long as lawmakers’ terms are extended.

Berri is seven years older than Prime Minister Tamam Salam who has turned 70 this month. 

Within the current cabinet, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, 76, is the oldest of all ministers.

Information Minister Ramzi Jreij is 75, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas is 74, and Environment Minister Mohammad al-Mashnouk is also 74 whereas Telecom Minister Boutros Harb is 71 years of age.

Lebanon’s only female minister Alice Shabtini turned 69 two months ago.

As for the Parliament, it is well-known that MP Abdullatif al-Zein, 85, is the oldest of all lawmakers.

National Liberal Party Chief MP Dory Chamoun and Former MP Michel al-Murr are both 84 years old.

MP Edgar Maalouf and MP Nehmeh Tohmeh are both 81 and MP Michel Aoun would become the country’s oldest president if elected at 80.

Septuagenarian lawmakers include Marwan Hamadeh (76), Fouad Siniora (72) and Gilberte Zwein (76).

Surprisingly, some deputies look younger than their real age, for instance Nicolas Fattoush (72), George Adwan (68), Atef Majdalani (67) and Walid Jumblat who will turn 76 on July 7.

Former President Emile Lahoud, aged 79, is the oldest of all living heads of state, followed by Kataeb Chief Amine Gemayel, 74, and Former President Michel Suleiman who is 67.

Moreover, the only speaker still alive is Hussein al-Husseini, who is one year senior of Nabih Berri with 78 years old.

Traditionally, employees in public and private sector retire at 64 and judges at 68, but the retirement age of ministers and deputies in Lebanon is unspecified, which explains the aging of the political class. So those who reach a seat seem to find it hard to leave, especially if they have a gavel in their hand...