The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan is leaving his post in a “long-planned” departure, he announced Monday.
Ambassador John Bass announced the move on Twitter, saying it was time for him to leave the country after serving there since December 2017.
“My earnest hope is for leaders and citizens across this country to find strength in unity, put aside their differences, and work together to negotiate a political settlement with the Taliban. Afghans and this beautiful country deserve nothing less,” he posted.
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A State Department spokesperson told The Hill that the departure was “long-planned” and “part of the normal rotation cycle.”
But it does come before a peace deal with the Taliban is officially negotiated.
Ambassador Ross Wilson, who served in Azerbaijan and Turkey under former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, will step in to run the U.S. embassy and is set to arrive “soon,” the spokesperson said. A permanent ambassador has not been nominated by the White House.
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JUST IN: US ambassador to Afghanistan leaving position https://t.co/Bvr5LuJ0Yq pic.twitter.com/vtl7zb1oVq
— The Hill (@thehill) January 6, 2020
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