New US Ambassador Lisa Johnson arrives in Lebanon
New U.S. Ambassador Lisa A. Johnson has arrived in Lebanon, the U.S. embassy in Beirut said.
Johnson is a former U.S. Ambassador to Namibia and more recently held leadership positions in the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement in Washington.
She had previously served in Lebanon as an ambassador from 2002 to 2004.
On her arrival, Johnson said "it is an honor and a pleasure to return to Lebanon", adding that "this is a difficult time."
"I appreciate the significance of the challenges Lebanon faces," she said. "At the same time, I have a deep admiration for the vibrancy of the Lebanese people and confidence in Lebanon’s ability to succeed. 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."
- Who is Lisa Johnson? -
Lisa A. Johnson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be Ambassador to the Lebanese Republic on December 14, 2023. She served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia from 2018-2021 and Chargé d’Affaires in Nassau, The Bahamas from 2014-2017.
Prior to her current appointment, Ambassador Johnson was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and INL Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Asia. She also served for short time as Deputy Commandant and International Affairs Advisor at the National War College.
Ambassador Johnson’s earlier Washington, D.C. assignments included Director for Middle East Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC); Senior Advisor for South and Central Asia in the Office of the Vice President; and Director of INL’s Office for Africa and the Middle East. Her other overseas postings were Islamabad, Pakistan; Beirut, Lebanon; Pretoria, South Africa; and Luanda, Angola. She also was seconded to the Office of the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels.
Born in Iowa City, Johnson grew up near Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Stanford University with an A.B. degree in Political Science and Economics and earned a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and an M.S. degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2023 and is the recipient of seven Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards.
