New US ambassador to UAE presents credentials

Al Junaibi wished the ambassador every success in his mission of bolstering bilateral ties between the UAE and the USA. On his arrival here earlier, Corbin, a careerdiplomat who has served in the Arab world, said, “I am delighted to be here in Abu Dhabi and especially pleased to be arriving so soon before the beginning of Ramadan. I look forward to spending this special time of the year acquainting myself with the heritage and culture of the emirates and to getting to see as much as possible of this beautiful country.”

Corbin was nominated as the US Ambassador to the UAE by President Barack Obama in May. His nomination was confirmed by the US Senate on June 30, and he was sworn in by Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William J. Burns on Sunday.

Previously, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

He served as Minister-Counsellor for Political-Military Affairs at Embassy Baghdad before he was Chargé d’Affaires in Damascus, Syria.

Since joining the Foreign Service in 1985, Corbin has held various positions overseas and in Washington.

Also joining the US Mission in the UAE this month will be L. Victor Hurtado, who will serve as Deputy Chief of Mission.

A career Foreign Service Officer, Hurtado most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Muscat, Oman.

He has also served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and at the US Embassies in Riyadh, Tunis, Damascus, Ottawa, and Mexico City.

The dmbassy’s current Deputy Chief of Mission, Douglas C. Greene, who served as Chargé d’Affaires in the interim following the departure of former Ambassador Richard G. Olson, will depart Abu Dhabi on August 1.

haseeb@khaleejtimes.com