Diplomat takes reins of US Embassy
The diplomat in charge of the US Embassy in Cairo has been replaced by his deputy, effective from Tuesday, according to an Embassy press release.
Marc Sievers, the embassy’s deputy chief of mission will head the Embassy after David Satterfield, who has completed his assignment as Charge d’Affaires.
A Charge d’Affaires heads an embassy when the current Ambassador is not in the country. Ambassador Ann Patterson’s position has not been filled since she left in late August.
Patterson was vilified by protesters opposed to the rule of former President Mohamed Morsi.
Shortly before her departure, a famous belly dancer broke an ola — an oversized clay water pot — near the embassy to celebrate Patterson leaving Egypt. Breaking the pot is a folk tradition for when an unwanted guest leaves.
Ambassadors can only serve after a presidential appointment is approved by the senate. Egypt has not had any such appointment yet. Robert Ford, the former ambassador to Syria, was reportedly going to be appointed, but this was never confirmed, although it was received badly by both state owned and private media.
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