FORMER U.K. AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON APPOINTED AID CHIEF FOR UN
October 11, 2024The decision by UN Secretary General, Antonio Gueterres, to appoint former UK Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher, to replace outgoing chief Martin Griffiths as head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is outstanding and will be widely welcomed by those seeking peace and order across the Middle East.
Fletcher, whom I had the privilege of interviewing in 2020 for my documentary film, ENOUGH! Lebanon’s Darkest Hour, is a man of courage, knowledge and tremendous capability.
He is someone with significant insight about the issues that have disrupted and continue to destabilise the Middle East, but more importanty a strong will to help affect change. For this reason, one can only pray that his diplomatic skills and strong relations in the region and around the world will serve him now when the world needs it most.
I remember fondly the love he expressed for Lebanon after serving as the UK Ambassador from 2011-2015. He told me one of the reasons he left the diplomatic corp was because he wanted the ability to speak freely about the problems and people preventing peace, which he was unable to do as a diplomat.
After announcement of his new role, Fletcher posted on X: “We must reset the relationship between the world and those in direst need. We can be better neighbours and ancestors.”
“I will defend humanitarians, humanitarian values, and – most importantly – the people we are there to serve,” he said.
There has never been a time when these priorities and values have been in need of immediate and urgent recalibration.
It is a tall ask but if anyone can make a difference, I truly believe this man can.
God Speech @tomfletcher1874
🙏🏼🇱🇧❤️🇵🇸🙏🏼
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