Ricciardone nominated envoy to Egypt

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush has nominated former US ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone Jr. as envoy to Egypt, the place where he started his foreign service career.

Ricciardone’s nomination was submitted for approval on Monday here to the Senate committee on foreign relations.

The Senate committee likewise approved the nomination of Ricciardone’s deputy in Manila, Joseph Mussomeli, as US Ambassador to Cambodia last June 24.

No replacements were named for Ricciardone and Mussomeli, triggering talk in the diplomatic community here that the Bush administration was waiting for the political situation in the Philippines to stabilize before naming a new head diplomat.

Earlier reports said Ambassador to Ecuador Kristine Anne Kenney was being considered for the post.

In the meantime, former Ambassador to Thailand Darryl Johnson will be sent to Manila this weekend to serve as acting ambassador.

Mussomeli, on the other hand, is scheduled to leave Manila next week. — Lito Katigbak (STAR Washington Bureau)