Riyad H. Mansour is a Palestinian-American diplomat and since 2005 has been the Permanent Observer of Palestine

Palestine Liberation Organization

The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...

 to the United Nations

United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...

.

Mansour was educated at the University of Akron

University of Akron

The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...

 and Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...

. He was the Deputy Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations from 1983 to 2004. In 2005, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Mahmoud Abbas

Mahmoud Abbas

Mahmoud Abbas , also known by the kunya Abu Mazen , has been the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation since 11 November 2004 and became President of the Palestinian National Authority on 15 January 2005 on the Fatah ticket.Elected to serve until 9 January 2009, he unilaterally...

 appointed him to succeed Nasser al-Qudwa

Nasser al-Qudwa

Nasser al-Qudwa whose full name is Sayed Nasser Arafat al-Qudwa from the Arafat al-Qudwa who are a family of notables from Gaza and of the Ashraf class. Nasser is a Palestinian diplomat and was the Permanent Observer from the Palestinian National Authority for the United Nations...

as Permanent Observer for Palestine to the UN.