Obama appoints new ME coordinator

President Barack Obama has appointed a new coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, the White House announced Saturday.
Philip Gordon, a veteran foreign policy expert, will take up his post on March 11.
The appointment came two weeks before Obama is set to visit Israel, Ramallah in the occupied Palestinian territories and Jordan.
Gordon has served as assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs since May 2009, with responsibility for US policy in 50 countries, as well as Nato, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.