By Libya Herald staff,
Tunis, 8 July 2015:
The White House has confirmed the news, widely rumoured for several months, that its current ambassador . . .[restrict]in Nepal, Peter Bodde, has been nominated as the next US ambassador to Tripoli, in succession to Deborah K. Jones who leaves towards the end of summer.
A career diplomat who speaks German, Bulgarian and Nepali, Bodde has had experience in the Arab world – in Iraq from 2010 to 2012 at the US embassy as Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance Transition and Coordinator for Minority Issues. Prior to that he served as the United States Ambassador to Malawi from 2008 to 2010 and was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Pakistan from 2006 to 2008.
The appointment has to be approved by the US Senate which may take some time. With Republicans determined to cause maximum difficulties for Hillary Clinton, potentially the Democratic nominee to succeed President Barack Obama, they are almost certain to use the nomination hearings to attack her over the death in Benghazi of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other diplomatic staff in September 2012. Clinton was Secretary of State at the time and the affair continues to make political waves in Washington.
It is thought that, given that Bodde’s confirmation hearings may not be finalised until the autumn, the US will appoint an interim Chargé d’Affaires to take charge of the embassy for the interregnum after Jones leaves.
It is based in Malta but it is believed it will be moving shortly to Tunis where most other embassies accredited to Libya are currently operating.
Ambassador Bodde joined the US Foreign Service in 1981, and has also served in Guyana, Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark and India, where he was the Minister Counselor for Administrative Affairs, as well as in various positions in the State Department in Washington.
His appointment has been welcomed by the Washington-based US-Libya Business Association.
“Not only does this announcement mark the continued commitment of the United States to supporting Libya throughout its democratic transition, but Ambassador Bodde’s broad experience around the globe will bring unique insights and a fresh perspective on political reconciliation, rebuilding societies torn by conflict and managing reconstruction,” it said in a statement today. [/restrict]
