Lamia al Hariri
Born
Lamia al Hariri

Hama
NationalitySyrian
OccupationDiplomat
ParentMohammad Al Hariri (father)
RelativesFarouk Al Shaara (uncle)

Lamia al Hariri (Arabic: لمياء الحريري) is Syria's former chargée d'affaires in the Republic of Cyprus who defected to Qatar in July 2012.[1][2]

Early life

Hariri was born in Hama but originally from the Daraa Governorate.[3] She is the daughter of the retired major general Mohammad Al Hariri, a former deputy interior minister. She is also the niece of Syrian vice-President Farouk al Shaara.[3]

Career and defection

Hariri was appointed to Nicosia as Syrian chargée d'affaires in November 2010.[4][5] Her defection was reported by Al Jazeera on 24 July 2012.[6] Two members of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) confirmed her defection on 25 July 2012.[7] Al Arabiya reported that she joined the opposition. She reportedly went to Qatar and she is still there.[1] On 25 July 2012, her husband Abdelatif al-Dabbagh, former Syrian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, also defected to Qatar and joined his wife, Lamia al Hariri.[3] His defection was also confirmed by SNC spokesman Mohammad Sarmini.[8]

On 26 July 2012, SANA issued a statement of Syria Foreign Ministry, stating that Lamia al Hariri was not an ambassador, but a diplomat working at the Syrian Embassy in Cyprus and that her mission was to manage the Embassy's affairs until an ambassador or charge d'affaires is appointed.[9]

Her defection was significant, since it was the second defection of a Syrian diplomat in July 2012 after that of Nawaf al Fares.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Syrian Ambassador to Cyprus Joins Opposition". The Journal of Turkish Weekly. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Syrian diplomats 'defect' as Aleppo fighting worsens". BBC. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Syria's ambassador to the UAE defects, joins his defected wife in Qatar: sources". Al Arabiya. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Syrian Chargé d'Affaires in Nicosia defects". Cyprus Mail. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Syria envoy to Cyprus defects". Fagamusta Gazette. 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Syria envoy to Cyprus defects, joins opposition, as clashes break out in Aleppo". Haaretz. DPA. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Syrian envoy to Cyprus defects to Qatar: SNC". MSNBC. Reuters. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Syrian ambassadors to Emirates, Cyprus defect". Chicago Tribune. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Foreign Ministry: Ambassador al-Dabbagh Was off Duty in Abu Dhabi since June 4th". almooftah.com. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Syrian envoy to Cyprus defects". Al Jazeera. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
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