Bahrain's state news agency reported on Thursday that King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa issued a royal decree appointing a female Jewish lawmaker to the post of ambassador. The future posting of Hoda Nono, who was widely tipped earlier this year by Bahraini media as the Gulf nation's next ambassador to Washington, was not announced.

According to the AP, Nono has served as legislator in Bahrain's all-appointed 40-member Shura Council for three years. She is the first Jew in the Arab world to become ambassador.

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)