A consul is an official representative of a government who resides in a foreign country to assist and protect citizens of the consuls country, and to promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries). A consul is generally part of a governments diplomatic corps or foreign service, and thus enjoys certain privileges and protections in the host state, albeit without full diplomatic immunity). Unlike an ambassador, who serves as the singular representative of one government to another, a state may appoint several consuls in a foreign nation, typically in major cities). Consuls provide many services for visiting or resident citizens of their country in a foreign country, such as issuing visas, passports, and birth registrations. They also work with law enforcement agencies to combat international crime, verify records, and track human rights abuses. The term "consul" was originally used in ancient Rome to refer to the highest magistrates of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire).