US Senate confirms Pakistan envoy

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

WASHINGTON: The US Senate has unanimously confirmed career diplomat Cameron Munter as the new US ambassador to Pakistan, where he has pledged "ceaseless engagement" to combat the country's anti-Americanism.

Munter, who won unanimous approval late Wednesday, said during his confirmation process that Washington needed to do a better job explaining its motives and forge a long-term partnership against extremists.

"Given the importance of our relationship with Pakistan and the many issues we are trying to tackle together to bring prosperity and stability to the region, we could not afford a delay in confirming our next ambassador," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry.

The Massachusetts Democrat vowed Washington "will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan" as they cope with the aftermath of devastating floods, which he called the country's "worst natural disaster in modern history."

Kerry also praised the outgoing ambassador, Anne Patterson, who had held the post since 2007.

The Senate confirmed a wave of ambassadors late Wednesday before leaving on a month-long break to campaign ahead of November legislative elections.

It approved Raul Yzaguirre as ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Alexander Arvizu to Albania, Joseph Mussomeli to Slovenia, Mark Boulware to Chad, Kristie Anne Kenney to Thailand and Christopher McMullen to Angola.

Senators also confirmed Wanda Nesbitt to be ambassador to Namibia, Jo Ellen Powell to Mauritania, Karen Brevard Stewart to Laos and Pamela Ann White to Gambia.