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Retired after 31 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Laurence Pope attended Bowdoin College

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Laurence Pope—a resident of Portland and Bowdoin graduate—has assumed the United States' top diplomatic post in Libya until the confirmation of a successor to Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed along with three other Americans in a Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. Pope, who will hold the post of U.S. Chargé de Affairs to Libya, arrived in Tripoli this week.

"With the current turmoil in Libya and the tragic loss of Ambassador Stevens, it's critical that someone step in quickly to lead our diplomatic efforts there. We are lucky to have someone like LarryPope to fill this complex role until a permanent Ambassador can be placed," said Pingree. "With over 30 years in the Foreign Service and a keen understanding of the Arab world, he has the knowledge and experience we need at this pivotal moment. I truly appreciate his willingness to serve the country in this very difficult situation."

Pope served as a Foreign Service Officer from1969-2000, retiring at the rank of Minister Counselor after having held a number of senior posts in the Department of State. He was the Director for Northern Gulf Affairs (1987-1990), Associate Director for Counter-Terrorism (1991-1993), U.S. Ambassador to Chad (1993-1996), and Political Adviser to the Commander-in-Chief of United States Central Command (1997-2000).

A graduate of Bowdoin College, Pope also had advanced studies at Princeton University and is a graduate of the U.S. Department of State Senior Seminar, and is a Senior Fellow at the Armed Forces Staff College. He speaks Arabic and French, and resides in Portland, Maine.