US names new AfPak envoy

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has chosen a new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, after months of delay and disagreements between the White House and State Department over the parameters of the job that became vacant with the death of Richard Holbrooke, senior officials said. Karen DeYoung reports.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has chosen a new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, after months of delay and disagreements between the White House and State Department over the parameters of the job that became vacant with the death of Richard Holbrooke, senior officials said.

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Retired diplomat Marc Grossman is expected to take over as US is facing a crucial year for its war strategy in Afghanistan, where it plans to begin US troop withdrawals this summer and to move toward a political settlement including negotiations with the Taliban before the end of 2011.

Grossman last assignment, before retiring from service in 2005, was undersecretary for political affairs during the first administration of George W Bush. Clinton is expected to announce his appointment on Friday.