Sahar Baasiri
Personal information
Sahar Baasiri
Community/Lebanon Impact
Sahar Baassiri is a prominent Lebanese journalist, diplomat, and expert in Arab affairs. She worked at An-Nahar newspaper from 1981 to 2009, becoming the first woman in the Arab world to write a front-page column and the first to head a Foreign Affairs desk in a Lebanese daily. From 1989 to 1991, she was a Beirut correspondent for United Press International. She later served as Lebanon’s permanent representative to UNESCO (2018–2023).
Baassiri is also an author of two Arabic books and co-produced the documentary Arafat with journalist Giselle Khoury. In 2014, she became president of the Women’s International Forum at the UN. In April 2024, she was appointed an associate member at the Issam Fares Institute at AUB for her expertise in Arab affairs, culture, and media.
A trailblazer in journalism and diplomacy, her career is as distinguished as that of her husband, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Social Media
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Beirut correspondent for United Press International,1989 to 1991.
- Journalist,An-Nahar newspaper, 1981 to 2009.
- Lebanon’s permanent representative to UNESCO, 2018 to 2023.
- Associate member at the Issam Fares Institute at AUB, April 2024.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- Author of two Arabic books:
- Lebanon on Hold, 2009, Dar - An-Nahar
- The Wandering Arabs, 2009, Dar - An-Nahar
- Co-produced the documentary Arafat with journalist Giselle Khoury.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Journalism
- Politics
Languages:
- Arab
- English
- French