Trump Nominates Ex-CENTCOM Chief To Be US Ambassador To Saudi Arabia - White House

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th November, 2018) President Donald Trump nominated the former head of US Central Command (CENTOM) to be the country's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the White House said in a press release.

"President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to Key Administration Post... John P.

Abizaid of Nevada, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the release said on Tuesday.

Abizaid, the release added, began his career in the US Army as a platoon leader and rose to become the longest serving commander of CENTCOM.

Lawmakers have pressed Trump to fill the long vacant position amid mounting tensions with Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the war in Yemen.