Add as preferred on Google Add as preferred on Google Jean-Pierre Lafon, France’s ambassador to Lebanon from 1994 to 1997, was the driving force behind the creation of the École supérieure des affaires (ESA). Acting as a bridge between Jacques Chirac and Rafik Hariri, he quickly secured their backing for the establishment of a business school, which he considered essential in a country of seasoned businesspeople. That was all it took for plans to sell the site where ESA now stands to be abandoned, allowing Lafon’s vision of helping rebuild Lebanon to take shape. At the ESA offices, Lafon, now aged 85, recalls his memories with remarkable clarity.How did the idea of establishing ESA come about?Jean-Pierre Lafon: I came to Lebanon purely by chance. Dominique de Villepin, then principal private secretary to the foreign minister, gave me 12 hours to decide whether to accept the assignment... You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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