Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has named a U.S. diplomat widely despised in Egypt to head foreign policy in the Middle East.

Obama has nominated Anne Patterson as assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs. Ms. Patterson has been ambassador to Cairo since 2010 and became the target of attack by both the regime and the pro-democracy opposition.

“Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be an Assistant Secretary of State — Near Eastern Affairs,” the White House said.

The statement did not elaborate. Since 1997, Ms. Patterson had served as ambassador to El Salvador, Colombia and Pakistan.

In Cairo, Ms. Patterson came under severe criticism for U.S. intervention in Egypt’s domestic affairs. The opposition accused her of encouraging President Mohammed Morsi and the ruling Muslim Brotherhood to continue their campaign to dominate civilian life.

“In my opinion, she [Patterson] is a member of the sleeper cells of the
Brotherhood, likely recruited by Essam Al Erian or Mohammed Al Baltagi.”
Egyptian politician Mustafa Bakari said.

Obama nominated Dwight Bush to be the next U.S. ambassador to Morocco.
Unlike Ms. Patterson, Bush comes from the private sector and served as
president of banks and financial institutions since 1996.

In an unrelated development, Obama telephoned Israeli Prime Minister
Netanyahu on Aug. 1. A White House statement said the president urged the
Israeli leader to maintain efforts to reach agreement with the
Palestinian Authority on the establishment of a Palestinian state in the
West Bank.

“The president underscored that while the parties have much work to do
in the days and months ahead, the United States will support them fully in
their efforts to achieve peace,” the White House said. “The two leaders
agreed to continue the close coordination between the United States and
Israel on this and other regional issues.”

  Anne Patterson, despised in Egypt, Dwight Bush, Mohammed Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood, Mustafa Bakari, Promotion? Unloved envoy to Egypt nominated to head U.S. Middle East policy