(VOVworld) – On Monday, US President Barack Obama appointed senior diplomat Michael Ratney the US Special Envoy for Syria replacing Daniel Rubinstein, who has been nominated to be the next Ambassador to Tunisia.
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| Michael Ratney speaks in Jerusalem, June 4, 2015 (Photo: AFP) |
Ratney became the 3rd US Special Envoy to Syria since the Syria conflict erupted 4 years ago.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a release that if President Obama’s choice is approved by the US Congress, Ratney will continue the important work of his predecessor – shaping the American response to the complex and devastating conflict in Syria.
Kerry reiterated the US’s commitment to fighting terrorism, supporting the Syrian “moderate” opposition, and addressing the Syrian humanitarian disaster and its impact on Syria’s neighbours.
The anti-IS coalition led by the US said Sunday that 26 air strikes have been conducted targeting IS militants – half in Syria and the rest in 8 Iraqi cities.