New US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A. Johnson arrived in Beirut to take up her post, replacing Dorothy Shea, the US Embassy in Beirut announced on Thursday.
Upon her arrival, Johnson expressed her pleasure to return to Lebanon, where she previously served from 2002 to 2004, to lead the US Embassy in Beirut, an embassy communique said.
“This is a difficult time, and I appreciate the significance of the challenges Lebanon faces. At the same time, I have a deep admiration for the vibrancy of the Lebanese people and confidence in Lebanon’s ability to succeed,” Jonson was quoted as saying, adding, “Now more than ever, it is time for Lebanon to find a sense of unity and purpose in the common desire of all its people for peace, prosperity and a brighter future.”
Johnson, a former US ambassador in Namibia, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. She was confirmed by the US Senate as the new ambassador to Lebanon on December 14, 2023. Her diplomatic career also includes serving as Chargé d’Affaires in Nassau and in The Bahamas from 2014 to 2017.
Johnson has recently held leadership positions in the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in Washington. Her commitment to international relations is evident in her various roles, including Director for Middle East Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) and Senior Advisor for South and Central Asia in the Office of the Vice President.
