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US President Donald Trump has nominated Lebanese-American businessman and reported golfing partner Michel Issa to serve as the next US ambassador to Lebanon.

Trump announced the pick via his Truth Social platform, where he described Issa as "an outstanding businessman, financial expert, and leader with a remarkable career in banking, entrepreneurship, and international trade".

Issa, originally from the Lebanese town of Amsheet, north of Beirut, is reportedly a personal friend and golfing partner of the US president, an anonymous Trump insider toldÌýFrench-language dailyÌýL'Orient-Le Jour.

Issa's appointment still requires confirmation from the Senate, where Democrats have vowed to block Trump's diplomatic nominations in protest against measures to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and merge it with the State Department.

If confirmed, Issa will replace Lisa Johnson, who has led the US diplomatic mission in Beirut since January 2024.Ìý

Issa was born in Beirut and studied economics at the University of Paris-X, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He worked at several major financial institutions, including the Union of Arab and French Banks, Chase Manhattan Bank, Banque Indosuez, and Crédit Agricole.

In 1999, he transitioned from banking to the automotive sector, acquiring Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen dealerships. His company reportedly achieved $35 million in annual revenue before he split the dealerships into three separate entities and sold them in 2010.

In addition to his business ventures, Issa runs a social enterprise that supports charitable initiatives. He has been recognised by the Church for his humanitarian efforts and received the prestigious Order of St. Gregory the Great from Pope Francis in 2024.Ìý