Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed Alexander Saltanov, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and special representative to the Middle East. Saltanov has been operating in the region and North Africa for almost 10 years, RIA Novosti reports.
Saltanov was dismissed due to his age on May 5. He became an Honoured Member of the Diplomatic Service.
Saltanov started working at the Foreign Ministry in 1970. He represented Russia in Kuwait and Syria. He was the Russian ambassador to Jordan in 1992-1998. He was the director of the department of the Middle East and North Africa of the Russian Foreign Ministry until 2001. Saltanov became Deputy Foreign Minister in October 2001.
A source at Russian Railways said that Saltanov may become Vice-President of the company, supervising international projects. Avtandil Gorgiladze was in the position and became Director General of the First Non-metallic Company.
