Secretary-General appointed Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands as his Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), on 20 May 2024.

Prior to taking up her position in Lebanon, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (2018-2024).

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert brings to this position over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, international security and Middle East affairs. Prior to that, she was Minister of Defence of the Netherlands (2012-2017) – the first woman to hold this position. She previously served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands (2010-2012) and as a member of the European Parliament (2004-2010). Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert has also worked for the European Commission in Belgium and Latvia, as well as for the City of Amsterdam and in the private sector.

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert is proficient in English, French and German and is a native Dutch speaker.