First Lady of the Arab Union
The First Lady of the Arab Union (Arabic: السيّدة الأولى للإتّحاد العربي as-sayyidah al-ūlā lil-ittiḥād al-‘arabī) is the official title of the wife of the President of the Arab Union. While there has to date never been a female president, the Constitution of the Arab Union makes no mention of gender requirement to hold the office, implying that a masculine version of the title could be used for the husband of a female president (السيّد الأوّل as-sayyid al-awwal; lit. "First Gentleman").
The position of First Lady is a title alone, and does not confer upon the bearer any official authority or responsibility. Nevertheless, the First Lady traditionally undertakes many public roles, including sponsoring of dialogue between different domestic communities and unofficially representing the President at national and foreign functions. The constitution does not require a president to be married, and as such, a First Lady (or First Gentleman) may not always exist, although every president has thus far been married for the duration of his term. The First Lady of the Arab Union also serves as de facto leader of the Arab Trust for Development, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation which promotes and funds community development and champions increased social mobility throughout the country.
Asma al-Assad is the current First Lady of the Arab Union. She has been married to President Bashar al-Assad since he took office in 2000. She was born and raised in London.
