Confirmed: U.S. envoy to Turkey Francis Ricciardone Jr.

The Senate confirmed U.S. ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone, Jr. in a voice vote Tuesday evening.

The action came a day after the Senate confirmed U.S. envoy to Syria Robert Ford by unanimous consent.

Both Ricciardone and Ford had been recess-appointed to the ambassadorships by President Obama last December, following months of their nominations being stalled by Republicans.

Ricciardone, a fluent Turkish-speaker and career diplomat, previously served as U.S. ambassador to Egypt, ambassador to the Philippines, deputy U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, and in two earlier tours in Turkey, including as deputy chief of mission and charge d'affaires.