UNIS/BIO/753
12 July 2005

New Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 12 July (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States to the United Nations (Vienna), Mikhail Wehbe, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Wehbe was serving as Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations (Geneva) (2003-2005).

Mr. Wehbe has served in many capacities in the course of his career, including as Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations (1996-2003); Chief of the Private Offices Department and Member of the Consultative Council for Administrative and Management Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria (1988); Counsellor and Minister Counsellor of the Syrian Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria (1982-88); and Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (1979-1982).

Mr. Wehbe has a  Ph. D. in International Law from Sofia University. He is married and has two children.

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