Ali Maher (diplomat)

Ali Maher (a.k.a. Aly Maher, born January 4, 1939 - 23 November 2016) was a prominent Egyptian diplomat and intellectual figure.[1] He was the grandson of Ahmad Mahir Pasha and brother of Ahmad Maher former minister of foreign affairs. He studied law at Cairo University. A skilled diplomat, Maher served his government in various diplomatic capacities in Canberra, Tehran and London, as Ambassador of Egypt in Tunisia, and France. He remained Ambassador of Egypt in France for 9 years until 2002 and was known as the Dean of Arab ambassadors there. He was then appointed secretary general to the Arab thought foundation where he played an important role improving cross-cultural dialogue and presenting a global view of the Arab culture. From 2006 to 2008, Maher was the Director of the Institute for Peace Studies. Ambassador Maher was Advisor to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina until 2010 then he became Head of the External Relations Sector of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina until his passing on 23 November 2016.[2]