WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama nominated former Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.
Feltman serves as the principal deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and is currently the acting assistant secretary.
The career diplomat, an Arabic speaker, served as the U.S. envoy to Beirut in 2006 as the Israeli military took on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Feltman and Dan Shapiro of the U.S. National Security Council had paid a visit to Damascus, Syria, in March, marking the first high-level visit by U.S envoys in four years.
"Syria can play an important, constructive role in the region," Feltman told reporters following the meeting.
He expressed concern to U.S. lawmakers recently over the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections in June, saying U.S. relations there hinge on the outcome as Hezbollah-backed groups are expected to post modest gains.
Feltman has a storied career as an envoy in the Middle East, serving with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq in 2004 and in various posts in Israel.
His nomination requires Senate approval.
