Aridi is a physics teacher by education and worked in a high school in
Aley before dealing with politics. In 1980, he began to serve as a special envoy of
the Lebanese National Movement (LNM). He became assistant secretary of the PSP in 1983. He was part of the
Hariri's electoral list, called Beirut Al Karama (Beirut Dignity). Aridi was first appointed minister of information to the cabinet led by
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in October 2000. Aridi served in the post until April 2003. As a member of the Progressive Socialist Party, he was one of the three ministers appointed the party's leader Walid Jumblatt in the cabinet. In other words, Aridi was part of the National Struggle Front in the cabinet. He resigned from the post in December 2013.
Alliances and views Aridi is one of the most significant aides of Walid Jumblatt. In addition, he has been political advisor of Jumblatt since 1991. Aridi stated that he is a friend of
Hassan Nasrallah and that he respects both him and
Hezbollah.
Publications Aridi published two books:
Words in Difficult Times (1992), a collection of his speeches and political comments given to radio Voice of the Mountain and
Lebanon: A Big Price for a Small Role (1999), a political analysis of the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East. ==Personal life==