Jean Wadih Makaron (; born 7 June 1956) is a
Lebanese career diplomat, jurist and academic who served as
Lebanon
Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus li ...
Ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sov ...
from 2007 to 2020 in the
Republic of Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbean ...
and
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''Ox ...
.
He served in several diplomatic missions including
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
,
United Kingdom of Great Britain
United may refer to:
Places
* United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community
* United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
Arts and entertainment Films
* United (2003 film), ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film
* United (2011 film) ...
;
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
,
USA
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
;
Athens
Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
,
Hellenic Republic;
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Commonwealth of Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
;
Kuwait City
Kuwait City ( ar, مدينة الكويت) is the capital and largest city of Kuwait. Located at the heart of the country on the south shore of Kuwait Bay on the Persian Gulf, it is the political, cultural and economical centre of the emirate, ...
,
State of Kuwait.
Early life and education
Makaron was born in
Rayak
Rayaq - Haouch Hala ( ar, رياق), also romanized Rayak, is a Lebanese town in the Beqaa Governorate near the city of Zahlé. In the early 20th century and up to 1975 and the outbreak of the civil war, it was Lebanon's most important railway ...
in the
Beqaa Governorate
Beqaa ( ') is a governorate in Lebanon.
Districts
Since 2014, Beqaa Governorate contains three districts:
* West Beqaa
* Rashaya
* Zahle
A law was passed in 2003 to separate Baalbek District and Hermel District from Beqaa Governorate to form a ...
on 7 June 1956, the youngest of three children. Born in a prominent
Catholic Melkite family, his father Wadih Makaron was
mukhtar
A mukhtar ( ar, مختار, mukhtār, chosen one; el, μουχτάρης) is a village chief in the Levant: "an old institution that goes back to the time of the Ottoman rule". According to Amir S. Cheshin, Bill Hutman and Avi Melamed, the muk ...
of
Rayak
Rayaq - Haouch Hala ( ar, رياق), also romanized Rayak, is a Lebanese town in the Beqaa Governorate near the city of Zahlé. In the early 20th century and up to 1975 and the outbreak of the civil war, it was Lebanon's most important railway ...
from 1964 until 1996.
He completed his university education at the
Lebanese University
The Lebanese University (LU) (, ) is the only public university in Beirut, Lebanon. It is ranked #701–750 worldwide in terms of education.
The creation of the Lebanese University was an idea first mentioned in the speech of the former Minist ...
where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in
Law
Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
,
History
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the History of writing#Inventions of writing, invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbr ...
and
Political science
Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...
in 1982 and obtained a master's degree in
Public law. From 1987 to 1992, Makaron was a lecturer at the
Lebanese University
The Lebanese University (LU) (, ) is the only public university in Beirut, Lebanon. It is ranked #701–750 worldwide in terms of education.
The creation of the Lebanese University was an idea first mentioned in the speech of the former Minist ...
, during which time he also received a
doctorate in Public Law.
Diplomatic career
Makaron began his diplomatic career as an attaché the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992 before being deployed on foreign mission to the Lebanese Embassy in London.
He was chosen as the
general consul
A consul is an official representative of the government of one Sovereign state, state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship be ...
of Lebanon to
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
,
United States of America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
from 1999 to 2001. He notably worked on creating the Lebanese American Foundation, which has been formed to establish th
House of Lebanonin the Los Angeles area, a non-profit organization focused on connecting the Lebanese Community in Southern California.
He was appointed
general consul
A consul is an official representative of the government of one Sovereign state, state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship be ...
of Lebanon to
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
in 2006 and served in this capacity until 2007 when he was appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Lebanon to
the Republic of Cuba.
In 2013 Makaron was appointed ambassador to the
Republic of Armenia
A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...
, where he strengthened ties between Lebanon and Armenia and promoted economic and political cooperation in various projects within Lebanon most notably with the launching of the
Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L. ( ar, طيران الشرق الأوسط ـ الخطوط الجوية اللبنانية ''Ṭayyarān al-Sharq al-Awsaṭ – al-Khuṭūṭ al-jawiyyah al-lubnāniyyah''), more commonly known as Middle ...
flight connecting Beirut and Yerevan, while also deepening bilateral cooperation in the domain of justice between the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and Lebanon. He also launched the Ambassadors without Borders Organisation.
In 2019 Makaron was appointed as the
chargé affairs to Lebanese embassy in
the state of Kuwait where he played a significant role in developing
Lebanese-Kuwaiti relations. He also contributed to the establishment of a Lebanese Economic Council in Kuwait, which contributes to strengthening economic, investment and trade relations between the Lebanese business community in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti business community and government bodies.
Makaron has also been a delegate of Lebanon in many conferences within the United Nations.
Personal life
Makaron married lawyer Graziella Saliba in June 1995. They have two children named Sandrine and Robin.
Decorations
![Jean makaron royal house of ghassan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Jean_makaron_royal_house_of_ghassan.jpg)
In June 2018, at the building of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in Beirut, the
Royal House of Ghassan honored Makaron
HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor bestowed upon the Ambassador the rank of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael Archangel. The president of the Royal House of Ghassan in Lebanon Sheikh Dr Elie Gharios was present in the meeting.
External activities
Member of the
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London since 1998.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Makaron, Jean
Lebanese diplomats
1956 births
Living people