A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Monday, September 27, 2010

Former Egyptian FM Ahmed Maher

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher has died of a heart attack at age 75. President Mubarak led the funeral today.

In addition to serving as Foreign Minister 2001-2005, his diplomatic career included Ambassadorships to Moscow and Washington. He served in the then Soviet Union during its dissolution, and as Ambassador to the US from 1992 to 1999. He seemed both effective and approachable during his Washington tenure. His brother ‘Ali, also a diplomat, served as Ambassador to France.

Both men were grandsons of Ahmed Maher Pasha, Prime Minister of Egypt in 1944-45, who was assassinated on the floor of Parliament.

1 comment:

David Mack said...

Ahmed Maher was a true gentleman, who showed real intellectual curiosity during his time in Washington. Others would have to evaluate his effectiveness as a diplomat, but I thought that his manner disarmed people who might have been more inclined to be critical of his government.