2009-03-19
George Richards | Special to The Gazette
LONDON - Egypt's new Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hatem Seif el-Nasr, was received by the British Egyptian Society (BES) at the Reform Club in London.
Seif el-Nasr takes up his post in London as part of a career that has spanned diplomatic appointments in Washington D.C., Paris and Beirut, and most recently as Ambassador to Brazil. He has also held important positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including working as Assistant Minister for the Americas. He recently presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II in a formal ceremony that marked the official opening of his ambassadorship.
The reception was well attended by members of the BES and other interested parties, including delegations from the Embassy and the British Arab Lawyers' Association (BALA). Introductions were made on behalf of the BES by Noel Rands (secretary), Baroness Symons (chairman), and Magdy Ishak (vice-chairman). Baroness Symons, a former minister, recalled the Ambassador's first visit to her office and declared that their compatibility boded well for Anglo-Egyptian relations. Magdy Ishak recounted exploits of the Ambassador's grandfather, a former Egyptian Prime Minister.
The Ambassador himself delivered a speech thanking the BES for helping his family and the new Embassy staff feel at home in London. Seif el-Nasr guaranteed his own continued support for the society and will soon host a dinner at his official residence.
It has been a difficult period for the BES following the deaths of the founding chairman, Sir Michael Weir, and his wife, Lady Hillary, in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Under the Society's new chairman, Baroness Symons, a strong sense of optimism has returned and great steps are being taken in strengthening Anglo-Egyptian relations, most notably through the society's involvement in a scheme sponsoring Egyptian academics to study curating at the British Museum in London.
Seif el-Nasr takes up his post in London as part of a career that has spanned diplomatic appointments in Washington D.C., Paris and Beirut, and most recently as Ambassador to Brazil. He has also held important positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including working as Assistant Minister for the Americas. He recently presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II in a formal ceremony that marked the official opening of his ambassadorship.The reception was well attended by members of the BES and other interested parties, including delegations from the Embassy and the British Arab Lawyers' Association (BALA). Introductions were made on behalf of the BES by Noel Rands (secretary), Baroness Symons (chairman), and Magdy Ishak (vice-chairman). Baroness Symons, a former minister, recalled the Ambassador's first visit to her office and declared that their compatibility boded well for Anglo-Egyptian relations. Magdy Ishak recounted exploits of the Ambassador's grandfather, a former Egyptian Prime Minister.
The Ambassador himself delivered a speech thanking the BES for helping his family and the new Embassy staff feel at home in London. Seif el-Nasr guaranteed his own continued support for the society and will soon host a dinner at his official residence.
It has been a difficult period for the BES following the deaths of the founding chairman, Sir Michael Weir, and his wife, Lady Hillary, in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Under the Society's new chairman, Baroness Symons, a strong sense of optimism has returned and great steps are being taken in strengthening Anglo-Egyptian relations, most notably through the society's involvement in a scheme sponsoring Egyptian academics to study curating at the British Museum in London.
