THE Trump administration's reversal of a decision to scrap the post of special envoy to Northern Ireland has been welcomed.
According to Congressman Richard Neal, the White House has given assurances that the role will be retained.
"At this critical time, I am pleased that President Trump promised not to eliminate the Northern Ireland Special Envoy during our meeting today," he tweeted on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had previously said the decision to scrap the post, which was set up by the Clinton administration in the 1990s, was part of a worldwide reduction in US diplomatic services.
In a statement, Mr Neal said: "I told President Trump that eliminating the position of special envoy would send a message around the world that the United States is no longer engaged in the region.
"As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, America must continue to play a meaningful role in the peace process."
At the time of going to press, there was no official confirmation from the US State Department that an envoy would be appointed.
The first US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Senator George Mitchell, was appointed in 1995. Subsequent post holders included Richard Haass and Gary Hart.
Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O’Neill thanked Congressman Neal and the Congress's Friends of Ireland for securing the envoy post.
"Successive US administrations have played a hugely important and positive role in the peace and political process over the last 25 years so it was greatly disappointing when the Trump administration initially indicated that the post would not be renewed," she said.
Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said: "Over the past 20 years, Northern Ireland has benefitted significantly from the engagement of successive US administrations in terms of assistance in our peace process, the development of our economy and facilitation of investment, and support for social change such as integrated education."
