Lakhdar Brahimi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lakhdar Brahimi
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 5 June 1991 – 3 February 1993 |
|
| Prime Minister | Sid Ahmed Ghozali Belaid Abdessalam |
| Preceded by | Sid Ahmed Ghozali |
| Succeeded by | Redha Malek |
| United Nations and Arab League Envoy to Syria | |
| In office 1 September 2012 – 31 May 2014 |
|
| Secretary General | Ban Ki-moon (UN) Nabil Elaraby (AL) |
| Preceded by | Kofi Annan |
| Succeeded by | Staffan de Mistura |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1934 El Azizia, French Algeria |
| Political party | National Liberation Front |
| Children | Salah Brahimi, Princess Rym al-Ali, Salem Brahimi |
| Relatives | Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan (son-in-law) |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers |
Lakhdar Brahimi is a well-known Algerian diplomat who has worked for the United Nations (UN) and the Arab League. He was born on January 1, 1934. He is famous for trying to bring peace to different parts of the world. For example, he was a special envoy for the UN and Arab League in Syria until May 2014. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Algeria from 1991 to 1993.
Brahimi led a special group in 2000 that looked at how the UN handles its peacekeeping missions. Their important report, often called "The Brahimi Report," helped improve how the UN works to keep peace. He is also a member of The Elders, a group of respected world leaders who work together for global peace. He believes in helping people who are poor and making sure everyone has legal rights. He is also part of the Global Leadership Foundation, which promotes good leadership around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lakhdar Brahimi was born in 1934 in a place called El Azizia, which is in Algeria. This town is about 60 kilometers south of Algiers, the capital city. He went to school in Algeria and also in France. There, he studied law and political science, which are subjects about how countries are governed and how laws work.
In 1956, when he was 22, he joined the fight for Algeria's independence. For five years, he lived in Jakarta, Indonesia. During this time, he represented the National Liberation Front (Algeria), which was the group working for Algeria's freedom. He traveled around Southeast Asia to gather support from other countries for Algeria's independence.
A Career in Diplomacy
Lakhdar Brahimi has had a long and important career helping to solve problems around the world. He worked as a special representative for the United Nations in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. A special representative is like a diplomat sent by the UN to help with difficult situations.
Before his work in Afghanistan, he was a special representative in Haiti. He even faced danger there, narrowly escaping an attack. He helped the UN bring in an American commander for their peacekeeping forces, which was a big step. Before joining the UN, Brahimi was a diplomat for the Arab League from 1984 to 1991. He also served as Algeria's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1993.
Helping Iraq with Elections
In April 2004, Brahimi visited Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. His goal was to help figure out how and when Iraq could hold elections. He said that the violence happening in Iraq at the time could delay these important elections. He believed that "free and fair elections" were the best way for Iraq to have a strong and legitimate government.
Brahimi suggested that the temporary government council in Iraq should be replaced. He wanted to make sure that the new government would be chosen fairly by the people. He felt very strongly that the Iraqi people should have the power to choose their own leaders.
Working for Peace in Syria
On August 17, 2012, the UN chose Brahimi to be the new peace envoy for Syria. This meant he was responsible for trying to find a peaceful solution to the conflict happening in that country. He took over this important role from another famous diplomat, Kofi Annan.
.jpg)
Brahimi worked hard to bring different groups together for talks. However, the situation in Syria was very difficult. On May 13, 2014, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, announced that Brahimi would step down from his role as special envoy for Syria on May 31, 2014.
Later Contributions
In December 2016, Brahimi spoke at a police academy. He shared his hope that Algeria and Morocco could work together and focus on building a shared economy, putting aside some of their disagreements. In March 2019, he was asked to lead a national conference in Algeria. This conference was tasked with suggesting a new constitution and setting a date for the presidential election.
.jpg)
Key Roles and Positions
Lakhdar Brahimi has held many important positions throughout his career, showing his dedication to diplomacy and international relations:
- Representative for the National Liberation Front (Algeria) in Indonesia: 1956–1961
- Ambassador to Egypt, Sudan, and the Arab League: 1963–1970
- Ambassador to the United Kingdom: 1971–1979
- Diplomatic Adviser to the President: 1982–1984
- Undersecretary General of the Arab League: 1984–1991
- Arab League Special Envoy for Lebanon: 1989–1991
- Foreign Minister of Algeria: 1991–1993
- United Nations Special Envoy for South Africa: 1993–1994
- United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti: 1994–1996
- United Nations Special Envoy for Afghanistan: 1997–1999 and 2001–2004
- Chairperson of the Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations: 2000
- United Nations Special Envoy for Iraq: 2004
- Member of The Elders: 2007–present
- United Nations and Arab League Special Envoy for Syria: 2012–2014
.jpg)
Awards and Recognition
Lakhdar Brahimi has received many honors and awards for his work in promoting peace and good governance around the world.
Honors
- Algeria: First Class of the National Order of Merit
- Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
- Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
- South Africa: Grand Officer of the Order of Good Hope
- Tunisia: Commander of the Order of the Republic
- United States: Medal of the Four Freedoms Award
- Yemen: Collar of the Order of the Unity
Awards
.jpg)
- 2016: Human Rights Prize (France)
- 2016: Emir Abdelkader Prize for Living Together
- 2014: Wateler Peace Prize
- 2011: Special Jury Prize for Conflict Prevention from the Fondation Chirac
- 2006: Hesse Peace Prize
- 2004: Dag Hammarskjöld Medal of Honor
Honorary Degrees
He has also received special degrees from universities around the world, recognizing his achievements:
- 2018: Waseda University
- 2017: University of Ottawa
- 2017: University of Algiers
- 2016: Sciences Po
Personal Life
Lakhdar Brahimi is married to Mila Bacic Brahimi. He is fluent in three languages: Arabic, French, and English. He has three children: Salah, Princess Rym al-Ali, and Salem. His daughter, Princess Rym al-Ali, was a reporter for CNN during the 2003 Iraq War. She is married to Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan.
See also
In Spanish: Lajdar Brahimi para niños
