The United States has named a “high-ranking” diplomat to lead its diplomatic mission in Niger and support efforts to the political crisis in the country. A statement from the US Embassy in Niger at the weekend said at the “request of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon traveled to Niamey to lead our diplomatic mission in Niger and support efforts to resolve the political crisis at this critical time”. FitzGibbon arrived in the country on Saturday, the State Department has said.