Oslo- Former Norwegian foreign minister Jan Petersen was Friday named new ambassador to Austria, the government said after its weekly Council of State.

Petersen, 62, was leader of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 2004, and served as foreign minister in the coalition led by Christian Democrat Kjell Magne Bondevik 2001 to 2005.

The veteran politician is currently chairman of the standing committee on defence and member of the foreign affairs committee in parliament.

He was first elected to parliament in 1981. In May he said he was not seeking re-election in the September 2009 elections. (dpa)