The Obama administration has appointed outgoing US ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson, as the new US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP).
According to a statement by the US Department of State, Richard Olson will assume charge of his new responsibilities from November 17.
“As were his predecessors, Olson will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs that support US national security interests in promoting stability and increasing prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” a US State Department statement added.
Daniel F. Feldman, who was the US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, had retired on September 18.
Olson was appointed as ambassador to Pakistan in 2012 after Cameron Munter resigned from the office as a result of tense relations between Washington and Islamabad following US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Prior to his experience in Islamabad, Olson served as the coordinating director for development and economic affairs at US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, during which time he oversaw all US non-military assistance programmes and support for the Afghan government.
He also served as US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2011. Olson is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, and has served at the US Department of State since 1982.