New U.S. envoy designate to Egypt copping criticism over running alleged death squads in Iraq

The United States is facing increasing criticism in Egypt over moves to appoint Robert S. Ford, its former envoy to Syria as the next ambassador to Egypt.

Egyptian authorities are reportedly unhappy over rumours linking Ford to running death squads in Iraq when he was posted there as political counsellor.

Ford is likely to face serious challenges in taking over from Anne Patterson, given the increasing anti-American sentiment among all Egyptian political players, the BBC reports

A Canadian website, known for creating conspiracy online, had claimed that Ford was involved in running death squads in Iraq, when he was the political counselor at the embassy from 2004-2006, the report added.

Mohamed Elmenshawy, the director of the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the United States would have to take serious initiatives to recover its reputation in Egypt.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki reportedly said Washington does not need to make a determination on whether President Mohamed Morsi's ouster was a military coup or not.

The growing political indecisiveness in Washington has fuelled frustrations over U.S. policies and its loyalties towards Egypt.

Meanwhile, there has been a growing resentment towards Patterson over issues like promising pyramids to Israel and getting close to the Muslim Brotherhood.