# Youssef Rajji

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Youssef_Rajji
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Youssef_Rajji.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssef_Rajji
> Source revision: 1355953564
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Lebanese diplomat (born 1962)

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Youssef Rajji" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (August 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Youssef Rajji يوسف رجّي Rajji in 2025 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Incumbent Assumed office 8 February 2025 Prime Minister Nawaf Salam Preceded by Abdallah Bou Habib Ambassador of Lebanon to Jordan In office 2022 – 8 February 2025 Preceded by Tracy Chamoun Succeeded by Georges Fadel (acting) Personal details Born (1962-11-20) 20 November 1962 (age 63) Beirut, Lebanon Party Lebanese Forces Alma mater Saint Joseph University of Beirut (Masters) University of Paris (Diploma) Profession Diplomat

**Youssef "Joe" Rajji** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): يوسف رجّي; born 20 November 1962) is a Lebanese diplomat who has served as [minister of foreign affairs and emigrants](/source/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_and_Emigrants_(Lebanon)) in the cabinet of Prime Minister [Nawaf Salam](/source/Nawaf_Salam) since February 2025.[1] He previously served as Lebanon's ambassador to [Jordan](/source/Jordan) from 2022 to 2025.[2]

## Early life and education

Rajji was born in [Beirut](/source/Beirut) on 20 November 1962. He holds a master's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences from [Saint Joseph University of Beirut](/source/Saint_Joseph_University_of_Beirut) and a diploma in Media and Political Communication from the [University of Paris](/source/University_of_Paris).[3] He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

## Diplomatic career

Rajji joined Lebanon's diplomatic service in 1992. Key assignments include:

- 1995–1999: Political affairs officer at the Lebanese Embassy in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), focusing on U.S.-Lebanon relations.

- 1999–2002: Deputy head of mission at the Lebanese Embassy in [Brussels](/source/Brussels), overseeing engagement with the [European Union](/source/European_Union).

- 2004–2005: Deputy head of Lebanon's permanent mission to the [United Nations in Geneva](/source/United_Nations_Office_at_Geneva).

- 2005–2017: Senior roles at the Lebanese Embassy in [Rabat](/source/Rabat), Morocco, including acting as [chargé d'affaires](/source/Charg%C3%A9_d'affaires) during transitional periods.

- 2017–2022: Director of Inspection at Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing diplomatic protocol and compliance.

- 2022–2025: Ambassador to [Jordan](/source/Jordan), where he mediated bilateral discussions on trade and refugee repatriation.[4]

### Foreign minister

Rajji was appointed foreign minister in February 2025 as part of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's technocratic cabinet, formed amid Lebanon's ongoing political and economic crises. He was appointed by the Lebanese Forces party.[1] His appointment drew praise from international figures, including [Kaja Kallas](/source/Kaja_Kallas), the [EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs](/source/High_Representative_of_the_Union_for_Foreign_Affairs_and_Security_Policy), who called his leadership "critical for regional stability."[5]

On 2 October 2025 he announced the launch of the online platform for Lebanese diaspora to register digitally for the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections. This initiative was done to boost diaspora voter participation. This is part of joint effort between the Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry to make voter registration clear and accurate, and to encourage full participation of Lebanese citizens abroad in the upcoming elections.[6][7] By mid-November reports say that over 100,000 Lebanese diaspora have registered to the platform.[8]

On 8 March 2026, Following the 2026 Iran war and the attacks carried out by Hezbollah against Cyprus, targeting British military bases, Rajji condemned the attacks in a message he sent to Cypriote counterpart [Constantinos Kombos](/source/Constantinos_Kombos). Rajji said that "Lebanon will not serve as a platform for implementing foreign agendas and urged Cyprus not to confuse the Lebanese state with groups operating outside its authority and legal framework".[9]

Later in a extraordinary virtual meeting of the [Council of the Arab League](/source/Council_of_the_Arab_League) he said that "Hezbollah had disregarded Lebanon's national interests, stressing that the Lebanese government and people are not responsible for the group's actions".[10] He then continued to say that he: "expressed deep regret that Hezbollah had once again ignored Lebanon's supreme national interests in favor of external agendas".[10]

On March 19, 2026 while taking part in the emergency meeting held in [Riyadh](/source/Riyadh), to discuss Iran's [aggression](/source/2026_Iran_war) against its Muslim neighboring states he emphasized that "the Lebanese government is determined and resolved to wrest Lebanon from the clutches of the Iranian grip, after it instructed Hezbollah to drag Lebanon into a war it did not choose,".[11]

On March 24, 2026 Rajji declared the Iranian ambassador [Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani](/source/Mohammad_Reza_Raouf_Sheibani) as [PNG (persona non grata)](/source/Persona_non_grata), giving him until Sunday to leave the country. He was quoted saying "in light of what the Lebanese state described as Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two countries".[12]

## Political positions

Rajji has emphasized the need for Lebanon to maintain neutrality in regional conflicts and strengthen ties with Arab and European partners. He has also advocated for reforms to streamline consular services for the Lebanese diaspora.[13]

## See also

- [Foreign relations of Lebanon](/source/Foreign_relations_of_Lebanon)

- [Cabinet of Nawaf Salam](/source/Cabinet_of_Nawaf_Salam)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NewArab_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NewArab_1-1) ["New Lebanon cabinet announced as PM vows to implement reforms"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250208223635/https://www.newarab.com/news/new-lebanon-cabinet-announced-pm-vows-implement-reforms). *[The New Arab](/source/The_New_Arab)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.newarab.com/news/new-lebanon-cabinet-announced-pm-vows-implement-reforms) on 8 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Mostafa, Amr (9 February 2025). ["Lebanon's PM packs cabinet with heavy hitters from business and finance world"](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/02/09/who-are-lebanon-new-ministers/). *[The National](/source/The_National_(Abu_Dhabi))*. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Who Are the Ministers in Nawaf Salam's Government?"](https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/articles/1307905/who-are-the-ministers-in-nawaf-salam-s-government). *This is Beirut*. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Lebanon, Jordan agree to boost economic ties amid regional challenges"](https://jordantimes.com/news/local/lebanon-jordan-agree-boost-economic-ties-amid-regional-challenges). *[Jordan Times](/source/Jordan_Times)*. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas on the formation of a new government in Lebanon"](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/statement-high-representative-kaja-kallas-formation-new-government-lebanon_en). *[European External Action Service](/source/European_External_Action_Service)*. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Lebanon's Foreign Ministry launches diaspora voter registration platform"](https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/lebanon-news/881792/lbci-lebanon-articles/en). *LBCIV7*. Retrieved 2025-10-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Interior Minister Affirms 2026 Parliamentary Elections Will Be Held on Time"](https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/Local/1616024/interior-minister-affirms-2026-parliamentary-elections-will-be-held-on-time). *MTV Lebanon*. Retrieved 2025-10-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Number of expats registered to vote surpasses 100,000"](https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1485408/number-of-expats-registered-to-vote-surpasses-100000.html). *L'Orient Today*. 2025-11-18. Retrieved 2025-11-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Lebanon FM Rajji condemns attacks on British bases in Cyprus, says they do not represent Lebanon"](https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/lebanon-news/912031/lbci-lebanon-articles/en). *LBCIV7*. Retrieved 2026-03-08.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_10-1) ["FM Rajji at Arab League meeting: Hezbollah ignored Lebanese interests, government and people not responsible"](https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/lebanon-news/912059/lbci-lebanon-articles/en). *LBCIV7*. Retrieved 2026-03-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Raji from Riyadh: The Lebanese government is determined and resolute in wresting Lebanon from the clutches of Iranian influence"](https://www.annahar.com/lebanon/289412/%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%85%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9). 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Lebanon Orders Iran's Ambassador to Leave Country, Drawing Hezbollah Condemnation"](https://english.aawsat.com/node/5254657). *english.aawsat.com*. Retrieved 2026-03-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_13-0)** ["Foreign Minister Rajji pledges diaspora outreach in first press conference"](https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1356782/foreign-minister-rajji-pledges-diaspora-outreach-in-first-press-conference.html). *[L'Orient-Le Jour](/source/L'Orient-Le_Jour)* (in French). 12 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.

## External links

- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (Lebanon)](https://www.mfa.gov.lb/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Youssef Rajji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssef_Rajji) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssef_Rajji?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.