WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State John Kerry has appointed a temporary envoy to be the top American diplomat in Egypt following the departure of ambassador Anne Patterson. <br />
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David Satterfield is a career diplomat and veteran on Mideast issues. The State Department says he'll serve in Cairo until a new ambassador is nominated. <br />
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Kerry has recommended that the current U.S. ambassador to Syria take the post. That's Robert Ford, whose nomination is still being vetted by the White House. <br />
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The outgoing ambassador to Egypt has been named the new assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs. <br />
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Satterfield is currently director general of the multinational force in the Sinai and plans to return to that position after his stint in Cairo.
