NATO Appoints Fluent Women In Arabic As New Spokesperson: Experience In British Government To UN

JAKARTA - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance appointed a woman who is fluent in Arabic and English citizens, Farah Dakhlallah as the new spokesman.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed as a NATO spokesman, who led the alliance's press and media during this critical period," Dakhlallah wrote on social media X, as quoted February 28.

"NATO protects more than 1 billion people, maintains their freedom and democracy, and contributes to a more peaceful world," he continued.

Citing The National News, Dakhlallah last served as media relations director for the Middle East and Africa in AstraZeneca. He previously served as communications manager at the World Health Organization (WHO) between 2017 and 2021.

Previously, he served as an Arabic spokesperson for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 2014 and 2016.

Meanwhile, the NATO website says Dakhlallah will take responsibility starting next March. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg revealed important reasons behind the appointment of Dakhlallah.

"I look forward to the presence of Farah Dakhlallah as the next NATO spokesperson. In a more dangerous world, clear and timely communication, as well as engagement with the media, are becoming more important than ever," Stoltenberg said.

Dakhlallah obtained a master's degree in international relations at the University of Cambridge and a master in media and communications at the London School of Economics. He previously studied audiovisual art at Universite Saint Joseph in Beirut.

He replaced Oana Lungescu, who served as spokesman from 2010 to 2023. Lungscu was the first woman born in the former Soviet bloc to occupy the post.