Obama picks new Libya ambassador

President Barack Obama has tapped a career diplomat with extensive experience in global hot spots to head the sensitive post of ambassador to Libya.

If the nomination is approved, Peter Bodde will replace Deborah Jones, who succeeded Christopher Stevens, who was killed in a 2012 attack on an American mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Jones has been in the post since June 2013. The U.S. mission to Libya is based in Malta because of insecurity in the country.

Bodde is currently ambassador to Nepal and has also served in Iraq, Malawi and Pakistan, among others.

His nomination must still be approved by the Senate, a process that relies on the cooperation of the Republican majority.