Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the newly appointed United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, arrived Saturday in Beirut. Hennis-Plasschaert will serve as the Head of Mission of the United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL).

“It is an honor to continue my service with the United Nations, here in Beirut,” the new Special Coordinator said. “In the interest of peace, security and stability in Lebanon and the wider region during this critical period, I look forward to closely cooperating with the Lebanese authorities and all partners in Lebanon and the international community to further the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006),” she added.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Hennis-Plasschaert (Netherlands) on May 20. Prior to assuming her current functions in Lebanon, she served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (2018-2024).

Hennis-Plasschaert brings to this position over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, international security and Middle East affairs. Prior to the United Nations, she served as Minister of Defense of the Netherlands (2012-2017). She also served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands (2010-2012) and as a member of the European Parliament (2004-2010). Additionally, Hennis-Plasschaert worked for the European Commission in Belgium and Latvia, as well as for the City of Amsterdam and in the private sector.