Bush to nominate Khalilzad to UN post-White House

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) President George W Bush will nominate the US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad to be the US representative to the United Nations, the White House said today.

Bush will also nominate US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker to fill the Baghdad post, White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

The appointments are the latest in the president's staff reshuffling and come just days before Bush is expected to unveil his new war plan for Iraq.

Facing a Democratic-controlled Congress deeply concerned about his handling of the war, Bush is contemplating what could be a short-term increase of up to 20,000 US troops to try to restore stability to Baghdad, but is facing opposition from some lawmakers and military officials.

Snow declined to comment on when this week Bush would publicly detail his plans.

Khalilzad, if confirmed by the US Senate, would replace John Bolton who stepped down last year after Democrats made it clear they would block his renomination to fill the UN post. He had served under a temporary appointment that expired.

Reuters BDP GC2131