Lebanese Diplomat Farid Abboud

It certainly can be said that Farid Abboud has had a long and significant career in diplomatic and political service to his home country of Lebanon. That experience goes well beyond his highly-regarded ambassadorships. Everyone knows that he served as the Lebanese ambassador to the United States for a long time, followed by a time as Lebanon’s ambassador to Tunisia and, since 2013, China. He has also held some political positions, including time as the assistant director-general for the Department of Political Affairs in the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not only that, but he also spent most of the 1990s as Lebanon's General Counsel in Los Angeles, California.

The seeds of Farid Abboud’s long career may lie in his significant education. In addition to earning a Diploma of Higher Studies in Political Science from Beirut’s Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, he also earned a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from France’s University of Lyon. He topped all of that off by earning a Ph.D. in History from UCLA, in Los Angeles, California. He didn’t just gain an education, however, he is intent on passing it on to others. He taught classes at Université Saint-Joseph for a time and, while serving as Ambassador to China, he has been a visiting scholar at the University of Peking since 2015.

The Educational Career of Farid Abboud

Farid Abboud set out to receive an education in order to prepare himself for the tasks ahead in his desired career. He began his studies at the University of Lyon in Lyon, France, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 1974. After that, he went to the University of St. Joseph and graduated first with a second Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science in 1974 and then a Master’s of Arts in Political Science in 1975. And finally, Farid Abboud earned his Ph.D in History from University of California, Los Angeles in 1995. All of these degrees prepared him for the tasks ahead as an ambassador.

A Passion for His Country, Farid Abboud

Having a passion for the job you do is a privilege and Ambassador Farid Abboud has always had a passion for his country which has led to a very fulfilled life with the work he has been able to do as a representative for his country. He began his career as a second secretary to the Charge D’ Affaire of Lebanon to the Soviet Union for two years and then worked as first secretary for two years in London, England and then another year in Rome, Italy and then six years as the Consul General of Lebanon in Los Angeles, CA. After that, he worked as an Ambassador of Lebanon to The United States for eight years, then to Tunisia for six years and then to China for another four.

Before beginning his career, Farid Abboud wanted to receive an education to prepare him for the tasks ahead. He began his studies at the University of Lyon in Lyon, France, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 1974. He then went to the University of St. Joseph and graduated first with a second Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science in 1974 and then a Master’s of Arts in Political Science in 1975. After that, Farid Abboud went on to earn his Ph.D in History from University of California, Los Angeles in 1995. All of these degrees prepared him for his job as ambassador and continue to bring him value today.

The role of ambassador

Dr. Farid Abboud began representing Lebanon early in his career, eventually becoming Ambassador of the Middle East country to several nations. Overall, Abboud spent more than three decades as Diplomatic Representative of Lebanon, from 1977 to 2015. His Ambassador of Lebanon role began in 1999 with a tenure to the United States, continuing to 2007. He moved into the position of Ambassador of Lebanon to Tunisia from 2007 to 2013 then Ambassador of Lebanon to China from 2013 to 2015. During his work as an Ambassador, Abboud also worked in additional, supplementary roles that included education and political affairs.

But what does the Ambassador position entail? What does this elite, diplomatic job include for any individual who undertakes the responsibility?

Ambassadors are official representatives for a nation, country, region, etc., as appointed by a president or leader. They are often career diplomats and move through rising foreign service positions, rising to the role of ambassador following increasingly varied offices. Some focuses of an ambassador include diplomatic international relations, work toward peace among nations and people, protecting the nation’s traveling citizens and supporting prosperity for the country. Ambassadors often support these goals in the home country as well as abroad while representing the nation.