Woman of Arab origin appointed as German FM spokesperson

The German Foreign Ministry announced here on Saturday the appointment of a woman of Arab origin to the position of the ministry's spokesperson in an unprecedented decision. Sawsan Shibli, supporter of the National Democratic Party (NDP), was appointed spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, said a statement issued by the ministry. The 35-year-old spokesperson is of Palestinian origin who migrated from Lebanon to Germany in the beginning of the 70s, when she was granted German citizenship at the age of 15. Shibli studied political science and gained her practical experiences through participating in the work of the NDP parliamentary bloc in Bundestag.