Elie Salem

Elie Salem (born 5 March 1930) is a Lebanese academic and politician. He served as the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs between 1982 and 1984. He was the president of the University of Balamand from 1993 to 2018.

Early life and education
Salem was born in Btourram, Koura District, on 5 March 1930. His father, Adib, was a notary public.

Elie Salem graduated from American University of Beirut in 1950 obtaining a degree in political science. Then he attended an American university.

Career and activities
Salem worked as an academic at his alma mater and was the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences until 1982 when he was named as the minister of foreign and expatriate affairs, and also as deputy prime minister. He served in the post until 1984 during the presidency of Amine Gemayel. Salem was a confidant of the President which allowed him to initiate the decision-making process at the ministry.

Following the end of his term as foreign minister Salem founded the Institute for Policy Studies in Lebanon. In addition, he was among the advisers of President Amin Gemayel. He also taught at the School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. From 1993 to 2018, Salem served as the president of University of Balamand.

Personal life
Salem met his wife, Phyllis Sell, in the US during his studies there, and they married in 1954. They have four children. One of their children, Paul Salem, is the president of the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

Work
Salem has published various articles and books, including Prospects for a new Lebanon (1982), Violence and Diplomacy in Lebanon (1994), My American Bride: A Tale of Love and War (2008), and In Dialogue with Lebanon: A Personal-Political Narrative (2023).

Awards
Salem was awarded the Grand Cordon of Order of St. Peter and St. Paul in 2004.