Senate panel approves U.S. ambassador to Libya

5/14/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Then-U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah Jones is seen in Kuwait City in 2010. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved her to serve as U.S. ambassador to Libya.
Then-U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah Jones is seen in Kuwait City in 2010. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved her to serve as U.S. ambassador to Libya.

WASHINGTON — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved President Obama’s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Libya.

The panel on a voice vote today approved Deborah Kay Jones, a career diplomat who has served in Kuwait, Argentina, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. If confirmed by the full Senate, Jones would fill the post that has been vacant for nearly eight months since the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Insurgents attacked the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 last year, killing Stevens and three other Americans.

The Obama administration’s response to the attacks has been the subject of a long-running and bitter dispute with congressional Republicans. The GOP has accused the administration of trying to cover up details of the assault.