Marc Grossman replaces Holbrooke as Af-Pak envoy

Washington: Retired US diplomat, Marc Grossman, will replace the late Richard Holbrooke as the United States' special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a senior administration official said on Monday. The appointment is likely to be announced later this week, officials said.

It is likely that the announcement may be made on Friday in the course of a speech on Afghanistan and Pakistan to be made by US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. The secretary is due to speak at the Asia Society in New York on Friday. It may be made sooner as well.

The position has been lying vacant ever since the sudden passing away of Richard Holbrooke, a veteran diplomatic trouble-shooter, in December.

Grossman takes over as president Barack Obama's administration faces crucial tests in the troubled region, including an initial US troop withdrawal due to begin in July.

Grossman, a former ambassador to Turkey, retired from the State Department in 2005 after three decades in diplomatic service. At present he serves as vice president of the Cohen Group, a consulting firm headed for former defence secretary, William Cohen, which advises international business clients on overseas enterprises.

Born 1951, Grossman has served as United States ambassador to Turkey, assistant secretary of state for European affairs, and under-secretary of state for political affairs.