Obama appoints special envoy to lead hostage recovery efforts

US President Obama has filled a new position created to ensure the safe return of American hostages overseas, Time reported Saturday.

The White House announced Friday that James O’Brien will serve as the first Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

O’Brien’s appointment fulfills an executive order President Obama signed in late June. He will report directly to the Secretary of State and work closely with the newly created Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to ensure synchronized diplomatic approaches to US hostage recovery.

O’Brien is currently Vice Chair of the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global business and strategy consulting firm. During the Clinton administration, he served as Special Presidential Envoy for the Balkans and as Senior Adviser to secretary of state Madeleine Albright.

Source: MENA