US Ambassador to Syria Leaving Post
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US State Dept(NEW YORK) — The U.S. ambassador to Syria is calling it quits.
According to various reports, Robert Ford, who officially became the top envoy to Syria in 2011 after briefly serving under a recess appointment, will soon step down from what has become a high-pressure post due to the ongoing civil war between government and rebel forces.
Due to the Obama administration’s condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Ford’s role evolved into something more of a U.S. liaison to opposition groups seeking a democratic government.
As recently as this month, Ford was in Syria to meet with rebel commanders in order to convince them to attend a peace summit next month brokered by Washington and Moscow.
He was in Turkey Wednesday for more discussions with opposition leaders on diversifying their ranks.
Ford has been described as exhausted by the non-stop travel and may resign his ambassadorship as soon as July. There’s no word on who might take his place or if the job as envoy will undergo changes due to the continued conflict.
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