CANBERRA

Lex Bartlem, Australian consul-general in Bali from February 2009 until last month, has been named Australia’s ambassador to Lebanon.

The announcement was made as one for former foreign minister Stephen Smith’s last official acts before relinquishing the portfolio to former prime minister Kevin Rudd, named to the job in the new Gillard government.

Bartlem previously served in Lebanon, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Spain, Turkey and Venezuela. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to victims and families following the Bali bombing in 2002. He is expected to take up his appointment next month.

Smith was named defence minister in the new Gillard cabinet that took office last week.