Senate confirms new US ambassadors to Iraq, Egypt

The Senate has confirmed new U.S. ambassadors to Iraq and Egypt after lengthy delays.

Stuart Jones was approved Thursday on a 93-0 vote to head the American embassy in Baghdad. Robert Beecroft was in that post but will move to Cairo. His nomination was confirmed by voice vote.

The president nominated both envoys in May. But their nominations have been held up in a larger Senate logjam that has affected dozens of appointees.

The U.S. hasn't had an Egypt ambassador since August 2013, when Anne Patterson left to become the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East. The embassy post there has been filled by a lower-ranking diplomat for 10 months.

The White House has criticized Senate Republicans for holding up appointments over issues unrelated to their credentials.