ROME – The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. food agencies David Lane left Rome of his own accord and was not dismissed by the State Department, an U.S. official said Thursday.

 “Ambassador Lane was in Rome for four years,” Public affairs officer Heather G. Eaton told Italian Insider.  “His departure was part of our normal assignments cycle.”

 Diplomatic sources earlier this year told the Insider that Mr Lane had been recalled to the United States “for failing to protect U.S. interests” at the FAO. Ms Eaton strongly denied the report, however.