Video: UN Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert arrives in Lebanon

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the newly appointed United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, arrived in Beirut on Saturday. She will be serving as the Head of Mission for 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,” said Hennis-Plasschaert. “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 her appointment on May 20. Before taking on her current role in Lebanon, Hennis-Plasschaert served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq from 2018 to 2024.

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