Former Lebanese Ambassador Hussein Moussawi Video
During an informal luncheon Wednesday held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, retired Lebanese Ambassador Hussein Moussawi spoke frankly in the Morris University Center Restaurant about the challenges facing the northern African continent, the Middle East and Arab nations.
Offering his invaluable insights about politics, religion, money, power and influence, and what has been coined the Arab Spring, Moussawi talked about the effectiveness of the Lebanese government, framed on democratic principles and known as confessionalism. He reasoned that the success of a government structure, such as is the case in Lebanon, is based on tolerance of and respect for divergent views.
“This formula is working for us,” he said of the Lebanese government. “We’ve managed since our independence in 1943 to keep this working.”
SIUE’s Center for International Programs holds luncheon events such as this nearly every month to allow faculty, staff and students the opportunity to ask foreign leaders questions about historical and current affairs.
Ron Schaefer, director of International Programs, was particularly pleased at the emphasis Moussawi placed on sustained diplomatic negotiation and compromise.
“Our students need to hear about the importance of diplomacy in today’s world, especially from one whose country is directly affected by the Syrian conflict,” he said.
Moussawi expressed genuine concerns about the Syrian civil war that began in March 2011. As Syria borders Lebanon, he said it poses serious questions for the region’s future. So far the civil war has resulted in nearly 120,000 casualties on both sides.
Also called the Syrian uprising, the conflict involves two sides: loyal supporters of the Ba’ath party government and President Bashar al-Assad, as well as those who are demanding the president’s resignation. The insurgency has been described by the Syrian government as armed terrorist factions. The Arab Spring began in December 2010 and has involved torrents of protests, demonstrations and civil uprisings. Such activities have led to overthrown governments in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.
“If this extremist faction wins the war and takes power, it will affect us,” he said. “We will have a great problem. So far, the Lebanese government has taken a neutral position. We hope for a negotiated solution with more democratic rule in Syria.”
Fighting in Syria has led to many challenges for the Lebanese government. Because Lebanon sits next to Syria, it is faced with a refugee population and limited funds to offer assistance. Moussawi called for intervention by wealthier nations to offer aid.
Moussawi served as Lebanon’s ambassador to Bulgaria from 1986-1990 and again from 1994-1999. He also served as the ambassador to Hungary from 2000-2007. He was decorated for his distinguished service, receiving the Chevalier Madara and the Stara Planina from the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as the Commander’s Cross with the Star Order of Merit from the Republic of Hungary.
Prior to these exploits, he had a storied career with the Lebanese Foreign Service, also serving as attaché with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beirut, as well as head of the Arab League Division or director of International Affairs-Political Division. As embassy counselor, he served in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; London, United Kingdom; and Beijing, China.
Moussawi distinguished himself in the Lebanese delegations to the Conference of Non-Aligned Nations in Accra, Ghana, for which he served as head, and to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He also was first secretary for a term at the Lebanese Embassy in Bejing, China.
He is a graduate of the Lebanese University in Beirut with a degree in political and administrative sciences and is a married father of three.
Photo: Retired Lebanese Ambassador Hussein Moussawi attended a luncheon on campus at SIUE, entertaining questions from faculty, staff and students.