Change of Dutch Ambassador to Lebanon

The Hague, 10 September 2024.

In August 2024,

 Hans Peter van der Woude was succeeded as Dutch Ambassador to Lebanon (based in Beirut) by Frank Mollen.

Ambassador Hans Peter van der Woude

Van der Woude has now taken office as Ambassador in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Veterans for Lebanon Foundation has had frequent and good contact with the Dutch Embassy in the past period, both with Ambassador van der Woude and with the Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Keijzer.

Frank Mollen was the Dutch Ambassador to Tehran, Iran, from 2021 to August 2024, and previously Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 2015 to 2018. He therefore has a good knowledge and many years of experience in the Middle East and is therefore in an excellent position to assess the complex situation in the region. Frank Mollen worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2021 and previously held positions in various posts, including Berlin, Canberra, Brussels, Kuwait, Nairobi and France.

Ambassador Frank Mollen

In the meantime, our Foundation has made contact with Ambassador Mollen, who – with us – hopes that the situation in the Middle East, and Lebanon in particular, will improve in the (near) future to such an extent that the activities of the Foundation can be resumed. If that is the case, Ambassador Mollen has indicated, the employees of the Embassy will certainly be of service to the Veterans Foundation for Lebanon where they can. We look forward to a pleasant cooperation with Ambassador Mollen and the rest of the Dutch Embassy team in Beirut.