Office and Departments
Public Diplomacy
Introduction and Staff
People-to-people diplomacy between the United States and Lebanon has a long tradition, rooted in educational and publishing links established during the 19th Century. The U.S. Government created the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to help foster such ties in 1953, just after it opened its Embassy in Beirut. Charged with "telling America's story to the world" and "promoting mutual understanding," the U.S. Information Service in Beirut quickly became one of the largest in the world and the regional headquarters for English language teaching programs, library services, and Arabic-language publications. Its John F. Kennedy Cultural Center and Library had five branches throughout Lebanon, including Zahleh and Tripoli. At its peak, United States Information Service (USIS) had a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) managing twelve other American diplomats. Over the course of the 1975-1990 civil war, most public affairs activities came to a standstill in Lebanon. The regional printing office was closed, and the last PAO left in 1984. Still, the Embassy maintained modest press, educational, and cultural activities for 14 years with the help of a dedicated Lebanese staff.
When the State Department removed restrictions on the use of American passports for travel to Lebanon in 1997, the U.S. Embassy began to rebuild USIS and to restore two-way exchange programs. By 1999, a PAO was back in Lebanon and an American Fulbright Scholar was teaching at the Lebanese University. USIS was renamed the Public Affairs Section when the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) was merged into the Department of State and the International Broadcasting Bureau absorbed the Voice of America and Worldnet Television which has been merged into the Voice of America multimedia network.
Today, the Public Diplomacy section works with all sections of the U.S. Embassy to reach Lebanese and their institutions, using its traditional programs once again and developing new services through information and communication technology.
Contact Information:
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O.Box: 70-840 Beirut, Lebanon
Telephone: 961-4-542-600 / +961-4-543-600 (Extension 4275)
Fax: +961-4-544-861
E-Mail:BeirutPD@state.gov
Public Diplomacy Staff:
- Cherie J. Lenzen, Ph.D.: Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
- Richard Michaels: Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO)
- Maggy T. Teen: Cultural Affairs Specialist
- Ali M. Dimashkieh: Cultural Affairs Specialist
- Diana Copty: Cultural Affairs Assistant (U.S. Speakers; Book Program; Visual & Performing Artists)
- Edith Bitar: Cultural Affairs Assistant (English Language Programs; Youth Programs)
- Nancy Estephan: Alumni Coordinator
- Nada K. Yammine: Information Specialist (Print Media)
- Linda S. Zgheib: Information Assistant (TV & Radio)
- Elisa Aslanian: Information Resource and Outreach Coordinator
- Sylva J. Maalouf: Public Affairs Assistant
Operating Hours:
The Public Diplomacy section is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
