Palestine’s new ambassador to North Korea has taken up his post in Pyongyang, heralding the resumption of a decades-long friendship as prospects for a return of Western nations to the DPRK remain bleak.

In a press release published on Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang confirmed that Omar al-Faqih is now serving as Palestine’s ambassador, though it is unclear when he arrived in Pyongyang or whether he has already presented his credentials to the DPRK government.

The appointment is the first ambassador-level posting for Al-Faqih, who previously served as charge d’affaires at the Palestinian Embassy in Italyand first adviser