Walid Muallem served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria from 2006 until his death in 2020. A career diplomat and member of the Ba'ath Party, he navigated the complexities of international relations during a decade of domestic conflict, frequently acting as the public face of the Syrian government on the global stage.
Early Career and Diplomatic Service
Born in Damascus in 1941, Muallem pursued an education in economics at Cairo University, graduating in 1963. He joined the Syrian foreign ministry the following year. His early postings included missions in Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In 1967, his tenure in Saudi Arabia concluded prematurely when he was declared persona non grata. Later, he served as Ambassador to Romania from 1975 to 1980. His rise within the ministry continued as he managed departments focused on authentication and translation before serving as Ambassador to the United States between 1990 and 2000.
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Appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006, Muallem took on his role during a period of significant regional tension. He was heavily involved in negotiations regarding Syria's relationship with Israel and handled the Lebanese file under President Bashar al-Assad. His tenure was characterized by a strong alignment with Iran and a steadfast commitment to the Ba'athist government's sovereignty, which he maintained through various diplomatic channels.
Conflict and Global Stance
During the Syrian civil war, Muallem became a vocal critic of Western intervention. In 2012, he rejected calls from the United Nations for a unilateral ceasefire, arguing that external actors, including Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, were destabilizing the country by arming rebel groups. He frequently leveraged his position at the United Nations to denounce international sanctions, which he maintained were responsible for civilian suffering, and remained a staunch defender of the government throughout his final years.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, Damascus
- Died: 16 November 2020, Damascus
- Education: Cairo University
- Ambassador to the United States: 1990-2000
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates: 2006-2020
- Deputy Prime Minister of Syria: 2012-2020
- Party: Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party
- Burial place: Mezzeh Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Walid Muallem's role during the Syrian civil war?
He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Syrian government in international forums and defending its actions against foreign criticism and sanctions.
Where did Walid Muallem serve as an ambassador?
He served as the Syrian ambassador to Romania from 1975 to 1980 and as the ambassador to the United States from 1990 to 2000.
Achievements
- ambassador of Syria to the United States (1990–2000)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (2006–2020)
- Deputy Prime Minister of Syria (2012–2020)
- Educated at Cairo University
