US State Department Establishes Special Representative For Syria - Spokesperson

Former US Ambassador to Iraq Jim Jeffrey has been appointed to serve as Representative for Syrian Engagement, Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a conference call on Friday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Former US Ambassador to Iraq Jim Jeffrey has been appointed to serve as Representative for Syrian Engagement, Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a conference call on Friday.

"The State Department and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are both pleased to announce that Jim Jeffrey, a retired Foreign Service Officer, who most recently served as US ambassador to Iraq, will rejoin the State Department as the Secretary's Representative for Syrian Engagement," Nauert told reporters.

Jeffrey will serve as Pompeos adviser and the State Departments Primary contact on all aspects of the Syrian conflict, Nauert said.

Nauert noted that Jeffrey is a 35-year veteran of the US foreign service with extensive experience in the middle East.

Earlier on Friday, the State Department announced it was redirecting $230 million in Syria stabilization funds that will go toward other foreign policy priorities.