By Gulf news

Sharjah: Lebanese intellectual and academic Dr Ghassan Salame was
named Cultural Personality of the Year of Sharjah International Book
Fair’s (SIBF) 35th edition. Dr Salame, who is a former Lebanese
minister of culture (2000-2003), will be recognised during the fair,
which will take place from November 2 to 12 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Ahmad
Bin Rakkad Ameri, chairman of Sharjah Book Authourity, said, “Our
selection of Dr Salame was based on his long and distinguished career,
his invaluable contribution to the Arab cultural scene and his concern
for all issues relating to the Arab world.” The SIBF’s recognition
pays tribute to intellectual figures in the Arab world and celebrates
their achievements that inspire future generations. Dr Salame is highly regarded for his significant achievements in the history of the region over the past five decades.

An internationally recognised and influential personality, he was
appointed political adviser to the UN Mission in Iraq, served as senior
adviser at the United Nations and taught political science at the
University of Paris.

As for his literary work, Dr Salame has authored numerous books and essays in Arabic and French.

He
is the author of ‘State and Society in the Arab Levant’. His other
works include ‘Towards a New Arab Social: A Study in Constitutional
Legitimacy’, ‘From Confusion to Action: Global Transformations and Arab
Effects’ and ‘America and the World: Temptation of Power and Its Range.’

In addition, he has a number of articles published in international affairs journals

Dr
Salame is also the chairman of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, dean
of the Paris Institute for International Affairs and professor of
International Relations at the Institute of Political Science in Paris
and at the University of Colombia in New York.

When he was
nominated to be Unesco secretary-general, Salame received significant
support from cultural and political figures in Lebanon and the wider
Arab world.

Dr Salame was born in Beirut in 1951. He studied law
at the St Joseph University and earned his PhD in political science and
another PhD in literature from the University of Paris.