Michel Menassa
Michel Menassa is a Lebanese politician and former military officer who was appointed as the Minister of Defense in the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in February 2025. His appointment followed the election of Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon on January 9, 2025, and Salam's nomination as Prime Minister on January 13, 2025.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Military Service
[edit]Menassa is a retired senior officer of the Lebanese Army, having held various roles within the armed forces. Before retiring, he served as the Inspector General at the Ministry of Defense.[1]
Business Experience
[edit]Following his military career, Menassa transitioned to the private sector, particularly in the shipping industry. He has held several positions at CMA CGM Group, including:
Business Process Manager at CMA BEIRUT TERMINAL CMABT (February 2023 – Present)
LTI Manager at Land Transport International LTI (June 2022 – Present)
Export Commercial Manager – Sales and Marketing at CMA CGM (January 2003 – Present)
Political Commentary
[edit]Menassa has been involved in political analysis and commentary on Lebanese affairs. He has discussed the significance of Lebanon's presidential election and its implications for regional politics, particularly regarding Hezbollah and Iran's influence in the country.
Political Significance
[edit]The formation of the new government, including Menassa's appointment, is seen as a significant shift in Lebanese politics. It represents a potential reduction in Hezbollah's influence and a move towards a more neutral or opposition-aligned leadership.[1][2]
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "President Aoun, PM Salam form Lebanon government". Arab News. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ a b "Who Are the Ministers in Nawaf Salam's Government?". This is Beirut. Retrieved 2025-02-09.