Bush picks Khalilzad as US ambassador to Iraq

WASHINGTON - US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has been chosen to become the US envoy to Iraq as US forces grapple with a bloody insurgency and Iraqi politicians struggle to form a government, the State Department said.

President George W Bush intends to nominate the Afghan American to lead one of the most difficult US diplomatic posts in the world, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced at a State Department ceremony.

Khalilzad's nomination, once it is formally put forward by the White House, is subject to US Senate approval.

"I will work with all Iraqis, all sects, all ethnic groups, men and women, to accelerate success in Iraq," Khalilzad said. He said there had been "great suffering" in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein and set off the bloody insurgency that some 140,000 US troops are trying to defeat.

"By success, we mean an Iraq that can stand on its own feet in terms of providing security for its people, controlling its borders, delivering basic services such as education and health care, and creating the framework for a prosperous private sector," he added.

Iraq's squabbling factions reached agreement on the country's next president and vice presidents, Iraqi politicians said, in a key step toward overcoming a political stalemate and forming a new government following January 30 elections.

Recent weeks have seen a number of large-scale engagements between US troops and guerrillas -- an unusual development as insurgents generally favour hit-and-run attacks.

- REUTERS