Vienna: The Austrian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday the appointment of diplomat Arad Benko, head of the office of Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, as its special envoy to the Middle East, effective from the beginning of 2026.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Benko will be responsible for coordinating Austrian policy in the region, including the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. His role will focus on promoting peace efforts, coordinating humanitarian work and foreign policy, and expanding economic cooperation.
The appointment reflects Austria's desire to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, a region that has been undergoing significant developments since the recent war in the Gaza Strip.