CAIRO: Egypt says it has named a new ambassador to Israel to replace its outgoing envoy.

A Foreign Ministry statement issued Tuesday says the new ambassador will be Yasser Ridha, a key assistant to Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

It describes Ridha as a diplomat with diverse experience in Arab and Israeli affairs. He previously served in China, Cyprus, Iraq, Germany and Italy.

The outgoing ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Assem, has finished his three-year post and will return to Cairo.

Egypt was the first Arab country to recognize Israel and establish diplomatic ties with the Jewish state after the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1979. -AP