Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a mobile satellite communications company, appointed Samer Halawi as Chief Executive Officer. Halawi assumed the office on January 23, 2011 following the return of Yousuf Al Sayed to the Etisalat Group. Halawi has held several leadership positions in major regional and international telecom firms. Most importantly, he brings with him several years of experience in managing satellite telecom businesses and major customers across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.