NATO appoints Farah Dakhlallah, British-Lebanese woman of Syriac Maronite descent, as official spokesperson

BRUSSELS — NATO has appointed Farah Dakhlallah, a British-Lebanese woman of Syriac Maronite descent, as its official spokesperson. Dakhlallah’s appointment marks a significant milestone as the first woman of Syriac Maronite origin to hold this prestigious position within the organization.

In a statement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his warm welcome to Farah Dakhlallah as NATO’s official spokesperson, emphasizing the crucial role of clear and timely communication in today’s increasingly complex and uncertain world.

Dakhlallah brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, including notable roles at the United Nations, the United Kingdom government, and various media institutions. She succeeds Oana Lungescu, who served as NATO’s official spokesperson from 2010 until last year.

It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed #NATO Spokesperson, leading Press & Media for the Alliance during this critical time.

NATO protects more than 1 billion people, safeguarding their freedom and democracy, and contributing to a more peaceful world. 🌎 https://t.co/Nc0j1aKZPR

— Farah Dakhlallah فرح دخل الله (@FarahDakhlallah) February 26, 2024

Prior to her appointment at NATO, Dakhlallah served as the Director of Communications at the World Health Organization and as an Arabic spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom.

Dakhlallah’s academic background is equally impressive, having studied audiovisual arts at Saint Joseph University in Beirut before obtaining master’s degrees in international relations from the University of Cambridge and in media and communications from the London School of Economics. Her diverse expertise and multicultural upbringing position her as a valuable asset to NATO’s communication efforts in navigating today’s global challenges.