Avatar photo

Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

Part of

UK in Lebanon

Read biography

2nd December 2017 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

Lebanon, The Message

UK Ambassador to Lebanon

This week I was invited to speak at a conference entitled: ‘From the State of Greater Lebanon to Lebanon the Message’ organised by Adyan Foundation. I was asked to share my thoughts about Lebanon; its place in the region; the past and the lessons we can take from it; and together how we can deal […]

Read more on Lebanon, The Message | Reply

16th June 2017 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

The Terrorists Won’t Win: What Does This Mean?

After each terrorist attack, we repeat to ourselves the reassuring mantra that the terrorists won’t win, and they won’t. But on one level, the mantra can sound empty. Terrorists will, sadly, continue to kill and spread fear across many regions of the world. The recent attacks and harrowing experiences of Westminster, Manchester and London Bridge […]

Read more on The Terrorists Won’t Win: What Does This Mean? | Reply (1)

16th June 2017 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

لن ينتصر الإرهابيون: وماذا يعني ذلك؟

في كلّ مرّة يضرب فيها الإرهاب، نردّد في أنفسنا ذاك الشعار المطمئن أنّ الإرهابيون لن ينتصروا … وهم فعلاً لن ينتصروا. ولكن في مرحلة ما، تشعر أنّ ذاك الشعار فارغ. فالإرهابيون، وللأسف، يستمرّون بالقتل ونشر الخوف في مناطق عدّة من العالم. ولن تفارق الهجمات الأخيرة والتجربة الفظيعة التي طالت وستمنستر ومنشستر وجسر لندن بال الناجين […]

Read more on لن ينتصر الإرهابيون: وماذا يعني ذلك؟ | Reply

21st November 2016 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

To 365 Days of Independence

Mabrouk, Lebanon! There is a positive new mood in the country. Posters have gone up, and flags been hoisted. Just last week I was treated to a truly stately guard of honour and credentials ceremony at Baabda Palace, and was honoured to finally present my credentials to President Aoun. It has been a long time […]

Read more on To 365 Days of Independence | Reply (1)

8th September 2016 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

Presidency: Time for #IndependenceDay2

It is now a year since I took up my appointment as UK Ambassador (designate) to Lebanon. It’s time to admit that, for all the wonderful experiences of my first year in this beautiful and welcoming country, there has been one big disappointment: Lebanon’s failure to elect a new President. And this is fundamental, because […]

Read more on Presidency: Time for #IndependenceDay2 | Reply (1)

25th May 2016 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

For the love of Lebanon, elect a President

Lebanon “commemorates” today the two year anniversary since it last had a President. Notre Dame University recently marked the 500th anniversary of the publication of Thomas More’s Utopia. Erasmus thought More’s genius was “such as England never had and never again will have.” But beyond his national importance to my country, I think Thomas More […]

Read more on For the love of Lebanon, elect a President | Reply

7th May 2016 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

Local Elections of National Importance

Winston Churchill famously declared in 1947 that “democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” He was speaking from the floor of the House of Commons, the parliamentary chamber reserved for any “common” man or woman elected to represent the people of Britain. […]

Read more on Local Elections of National Importance | Reply

26th April 2016 Beirut, Lebanon

Avatar photo

by Hugo Shorter

British Ambassador to Lebanon

War and Reconciliation

Yesterday I participated in an ANZAC ceremony for the first time: a moving dawn service led by Australian Ambassador Glenn Miles to commemorate the fallen of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in the battle of Gallipoli, 1915.  This tragic battle helped forge the modern countries of Australia and New Zealand.  There was […]

Read more on War and Reconciliation | Reply (1)

About Hugo Shorter

Hugo Shorter was appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Lebanon in September 2015. He presented his credentials on 16 November 2016 following the election of Lebanese President General Michel Aoun. This…

Hugo Shorter was appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Lebanon in September 2015. He presented his credentials on 16 November 2016 following the election of Lebanese President General Michel Aoun.
This is his first Ambassadorial position coming straight from personally advising the Foreign Secretary on a wide range of Foreign Policy priorities as Head of External Affairs for Europe Directorate. In this role he has accompanied the Foreign Secretary on a monthly basis to the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU, helping negotiate EU foreign policy decisions in areas such as crisis management, sanctions and military operations. He has also co-ordinated the UK’s foreign policy work on G7/8, including during the UK G8 presidency in 2013 and the G8 Summit at Lough Erne. This work comes after an early-career focus on defence, security and trade policy, and successful postings as Minister Counsellor for Europe and Global Issues, Paris and Deputy Head of Mission, Brasilia.

Hugo Shorter, like many Lebanese, has a special connection to Brazil, having grown up there and attended school in Rio de Janeiro, before taking degrees at Oxford University and the École Nationale d’Administration.

He arrives in Lebanon with his wife Laura and three children.