Ford Likely to helm Egypt mission
With Anne Patterson expected to be nominated as Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, US officials have told Al-Monitor that Syria Envoy Robert Ford is likely to be nominated as the next Ambassador to Egypt.
US Syria Envoy Robert Ford is likely to be nominated the next US Ambassador to Egypt, two senior US officials tell the Back Channel.
A State Department official said Thursday he had no information to provide on that.
The Back Channel previously reported that current US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson is expected to be nominated the next Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs. The unrest in Egypt the past month following the ouster of Egypt's Mohamed Morsi may have slightly delayed the announcement, but it is expected to proceed, maybe even before August recess, the officials said.
The Back Channel first reported that Ford has asked to step down from the Syria job, saying he is exhausted.
