Christopher Hill to be new US ambassador in Iraq

President Barack Obama confirms that Christopher Hill is becoming the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

Officials had said earlier this month that Hill was the leading candidate to replace Ryan Crocker as the top US diplomat in Baghdad.

Speaking to Marines Friday at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Obama said Hill has shown the c that is needed now in Iraq.

Hill is a career foreign service officer who served as the Bush administration's lead negotiator with North Korea. He earlier served as a negotiator in the crises in Bosnia and Kosovo.

First Published: Feb 27, 2009 22:58 IST