Sidi Ifni- Sawsan Chebli, a 35-year-old German woman, has been appointed as a spokespersons of the German Foreign Ministry, according to media reports.
Of Palestinian origin, Chebli is the first Muslim woman to represent the Ministry. She is now preparing to be deputy spokesperson under chief spokesman Martin Schaefer.
Chebli previously held a post at the Social Democratic Party parliamentary faction. She had also served as policy adviser on intercultural issues to the Berlin city administration.
Chebli was born in Berlin and grew up in the German capital. At age 15, she was naturalized as a German citizen.
According to the Dutshe Welle, her parents came to Germany as asylum seekers from a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Although she was born in Germany, she was stateless for the first fifteen years of her life.
Chebli, who considers herself as a practicing Muslim, holds a political science degree. Even if she doesn't wear a hijab, she says she is deeply religious.
"I pray, I fast, I do not eat pork and do not drink alcohol," Chebli explained.
Chebli had already intended to visit the Palestinian Territories as a developmental aid worker before she was appointed to her position at the Foreign Ministry.
Commenting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Chebli said that there is no hope for a two-state-solution.
Chebli speaks five languages fluently, including German, Arabic and Turkish.