Motaz Zahran

Motaz Zahran studied law at Mohammed V University in Rabat and practised in Cairo before joining Egypt’s foreign service. His work included postings in New Delhi and Washington, disarmament diplomacy, the ambassadorship in Canada, and leadership of the foreign minister’s cabinet. During his earlier Washington posting, he handled political and congressional affairs and also served in an acting capacity. ¹

Zahran returned as ambassador in September 2020. In an account of his first months, he described reaching out to congressional leaders and to both supporters and critics of Egypt in academic circles during the pandemic and the American presidential transition. He attended the Abraham Accords signing shortly after arriving in Washington. His mission ended in 2026, when he gave a farewell interview reflecting on six years in the capital. ^{2, 3, 4}