The United States has appointed its first Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis to Cuba in 55 years as relations between the countries thaw. <br/><br/>President Barack Obama said it was a step towards a more normal and productive relationship. <br/><br/>But he may face a battle in Congress where some Republicans are opposed to his dealings with the communist island. <br/><br/>President Obama said there was no better qualified public servant. <br/><br/>The new ambassador DeLaurentis had been working at the new US embassy in Havana, which opened in July last year.