Agency

US ambassador-designate to Bangladesh James F Moriarty arrived in Dhaka Thursday noon, landing at Zia International Airport on a Thai Airways flight.

Moriarty told reporters at the airport he felt it an honor and privilege to serve as United States ambassador to Bangladesh. "My wife, Lauren, and I are delighted to be in Bangladesh.

I look forward to learning more about Bangladesh and its people and helping Bangladeshis understand the United States better," the new ambassador said.

"The United States is a steadfast friend of the Bangladesh people and Lauren and I look forward to living here," he said, adding that he looked forward to getting to know the people and the country.

Ambassador Moriarty was nominated by President George Bush last year and confirmed by the US Senate on Mar 13. He was sworn-in by Secretary of State Rice in Washington on Mar 26.

Prior to this assignment, Moriarty served as US ambassador to Nepal between 2004 and 2007. He has also served as special assistant to the US president and senior director at the US National Security Council, advising on and coordinating US policy on East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific region.

Moriarty is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Earlier assignments in his career included postings at the US Embassies in Pakistan, Swaziland and Morocco.

The new ambassador speaks Chinese, Nepali, Urdu, French and Bangla. He is married to Lauren Moriarty, a retired senior US diplomat. They have a son and daughter