The American diplomat had served as ambassador to Algeria and Syria. The UN announcement tasked him with pursuing a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution providing for self-determination, based on Council resolutions.
Letter S/2009/20 of 8 January records the Security Council President’s response concerning the appointment. The change followed the four Manhasset rounds of 2007–2008. It renewed leadership of diplomatic contacts without itself constituting resumed negotiations or agreement on status.