Michel Issa
Michel Issa | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Lebanon | |
Designate | |
| Assumed office October 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Lisa A. Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Paris Nanterre University (Economics) |
| Occupation | Businessman, diplomat |
Michel Issa is a Lebanese-American diplomat and businessman who has been the United States ambassador-designate to Lebanon since 2025.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Issa was born in Bsous, a village in Lebanon’s Aley District, and spent part of his childhood in Beirut before moving to Paris and later to New York. He studied economics at Paris Nanterre University and began his career in the banking sector, working for Arab and French banks including Crédit Agricole and Chase Manhattan Bank.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Issa has held senior executive positions in corporate finance, restructuring, and rehabilitation. According to publicly available professional information, he has overseen or advised on numerous restructuring and debt financing projects involving corporate and real estate clients. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee, and has lectured at several business schools.[3][4]
U.S. ambassador to Lebanon (2025–present)
[edit]Nomination and confirmation
[edit]On March 24, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Issa as the United States ambassador to Lebanon.[5] The nomination was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which held hearings on July 29, 2025, and reported the nomination favorably on September 17, 2025. The Senate invoked cloture and confirmed his nomination on October 6, 2025, by a 50–45 vote.[1]
During his confirmation hearing, Issa said that efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s financial systems and reinforce state sovereignty would be priorities during his tenure.[3]
Tenure
[edit]Issa will succeed Ambassador Lisa Johnson, whose term concluded in late September 2025.[2][3]
Personal life
[edit]Issa was born in Lebanon and later naturalized as a American citizen. He stated during his Senate confirmation hearing that he voluntarily renounced his Lebanese citizenship prior to assuming his diplomatic role. He currently resides in New York City.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "PN55-23 — Michel Issa — Department of State". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ a b Rita, El Jammal (September 12, 2025). "US ambassador Lisa Johnson bids farewell to Beirut as Lebanese-American 'warrior' Michel Issa set to replace her". The New Arab.
- ^ a b c d e "Who Is Michel Issa, the New US Ambassador to Lebanon?". MTV Lebanon. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Issa, Michel – Lebanese Republic – May 2025". United States Department of State. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ "Trump nominates Lebanese American Michel Issa to be the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon". ArabAmericanNews. March 15, 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.