(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (KUNA) -- US Department of State confirmed that the recently-appointed Ambassador to Niger Kathleen A. FitzGibbon will arrive in Niamey maybe by the end of the week despite the last month coup in the African country.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, "We are pleased to see that Ambassador FitzGibbon was confirmed in late July after what was a year-long confirmation process."
"We do look forward to Ambassador FitzGibbon's arrival in Niamey. She is going there to lead the mission during a critical time and to support the American community and to coordinate on the US government's efforts," Patel noted.
"What I will also be very clear about is her arrival does not reflect a change in our position and we continue to advocate for a diplomatic solution that respects the constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of President (Mohamed) Bazoum and his family.
"And we remain committed to working with African partners to promote security, stability and democratic governance in the Sahel and Ambassador FitzGibbon will be an integral piece of that when she gets to the post in Niamey," Patel went on.
He pointed out that the ambassador's travel to Niamey is a signal of the United States continued engagement in this situation, rather than a signal of any change in US policy as it relates to the circumstances in Niger.
"We have been quite clear of what we want to see happen. We want to see President Bazoum and his family released. We want to see the constitutional order in Niger respected.
"That was the case this whole time and that will be the case whenever Ambassador Fitzgibbons gets to Niamey as well. So I just want to be very clear about that, that this is not a change in policy or posture," he added. (end)
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