Biden to appoint former US diplomat in Saudi Arabia as special envoy for Yemen

US President Joe Biden is expected to appoint Timothy Lenderking as his special envoy for Yemen, sources familiar with the decision said Thursday.

Biden has pledged to increase US efforts and pressure to end the yearslong war in Yemen.

The move was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Lenderking is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran, Iraq, and Regional Multilateral Affairs in the Near East Bureau and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.

His experience in the region includes time at the US embassies in Riyadh and Baghdad.