Obama confirms Mitchell resignation, appoints replacement
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US President Barack Obama officially confirmed that his Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has resigned. The president said that Mitchell's deputy, David Hale, will replace him for the time being.
In his statement, Obama claimed that Mitchell said previously that he will only be serving in the post for two years and thanked him for his service. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement expressing her gratitude to Mitchell. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)
