Lebanon’s New Diplomatic Era: Youssef Raji Appointed as Foreign Minister

Watan-All eyes in the first government of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, especially as Lebanon enters a new phase in diplomatic relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia and the United States.

This follows the role both countries played in the presidential and governmental transitions, which marked a shift in power after years of control by Hezbollah and its allies.

Lebanon’s foreign policy has long been a source of dissatisfaction for the country’s opposition forces, as well as for international and Arab circles, due to its alignment with Hezbollah’s agenda. For years, foreign policy was controlled by successive governments, particularly in the past decade, by the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).

The ministry was headed by FPM leader Gebran Bassil in 2016 during the presidency of Michel Aoun and the government of Tammam Salam. Today, Bassil and his party are notably absent from the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Lebanon’s foreign relations, particularly with Arab and Gulf countries, present one of the major challenges for the new government, which has pledged, along with President Joseph Aoun, to strengthen and improve diplomatic, political, commercial, and tourism ties after a prolonged period of strained relations due to Hezbollah’s policies in Lebanon and the region.

Consequently, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raji, will be closely watched both domestically and internationally for how he manages the ministry and whether he succeeds in improving Lebanon’s international standing and reintegrating it into the Arab fold. Notably, Raji was nominated for the position by the Lebanese Forces party, led by Samir Geagea, which has consistently opposed the FPM’s foreign policy and criticized its role in damaging Lebanon’s external relations.

In its first statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants today strongly condemned and rejected the Israeli Prime Minister’s statements advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory. The ministry reaffirmed its “support for the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of any threats to its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”

The ministry also emphasized its “rejection of any attempts to displace or resettle Palestinians, particularly in Lebanon,” and urged efforts to push for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative adopted at the Beirut Summit in 2002. The ministry stressed that such a resolution would enhance regional and international peace and security.

Who is Lebanon’s New Foreign Minister?

Youssef Raji was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the first government of President Joseph Aoun, which consists of 24 ministers. He was nominated by the Lebanese Forces party and approved by both President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Born in 1962, Raji has held numerous diplomatic positions and represented Lebanon in various countries before being appointed as acting chargé d’affaires at the Lebanese embassy in Jordan. He enjoys strong international and Arab connections, which could facilitate his work at the helm of the ministry.

Raji holds a special degree in media and political communication from the French Institute of Journalism at Paris II University, as well as a master’s degree in political and administrative sciences from Saint Joseph University in Beirut. In 2017, he served as Director of Inspection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in Beirut. He has also held diplomatic posts, including as acting chargé d’affaires at Lebanon’s embassies in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in 2020, Seoul (South Korea) in 2014, and Rabat (Morocco), among other assignments.

Additionally, Raji served as Deputy Head of Lebanon’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, other international organizations, and the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2005. He also worked as Consul and Political Affairs Officer for Belgium and the European Union, as well as a Political Affairs Officer at Lebanon’s embassy in Washington, D.C.