New American envoy: Richard Olsen’s replacement arrives in Islamabad

David Hale will present his credentials to President Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed US ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to take charge of what is considered as one of the most challenging diplomatic assignments in the world.

The US Embassy said in a statement that Ambassador Hale will present his credentials to President Mamnoon Hussain at the earliest opportunity. Hale has replaced Richard Olsen, who has now been appointed as US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The US Embassy said Hale will begin working with his Pakistani counterparts and the Pakistani people to strengthen US-Pakistan relations and increase trade between the two countries.

He will also work to further enhance “our security partnership and advance the broad agenda” laid out by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when they met in Washington last month.

David Hale is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of career minister. He has served as ambassador to the Lebanese Republic from 2013 to 2015. Previously, he was the special envoy for Middle East Peace from 2011 to 2013, deputy special envoy for Middle East Peace from 2009 to 2011.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2015.