Anne-Claire Legendre, a senior diplomat and one of French President Emmanuel Macron’s closest advisers on North Africa and the Middle East, has been chosen to lead the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, according to Le Monde, marking a turning point for the institution after weeks of turmoil. Legendre, 46, was selected by the institute’s board on Tuesday morning. Her appointment is expected to be ratified by the high council made up of representatives from the 22 member states of the Arab League. If confirmed, she will become the first woman to head the institute in its 40-year history. Related Articles She steps into the role following the abrupt resignation of Jack Lang earlier this month after renewed scrutiny over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Lang, who had led the institute since 2013, denied the accusations and addressed staff shortly before investigators searched his office. Legendre brings a career built in diplomacy. She joined the Elysée’s diplomatic team in December 2023 after serving for just over two years as spokesperson for France’s foreign ministry. Before that, she …