Washington: As violence continues unabated in Iraq, President George W Bush has named US career diplomat John Negroponte as the first Ambassador to Iraq since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime last year.

Negroponte, currently the US envoy to UN, is expected to take over from American civilian administrator of Baghdad Paul Bremer, when the US hands power to an interim Iraqi Government by June 30.

Calling Negroponte "a man of enormous experience and skill", Bush said that he had no doubt in his mind that the new appointee would be able to handle the "difficult assignment".

Bush cited Negroponte's tenure at the world body as a key factor in his decision.

"He has done a really good job of speaking for the United States to the world about our intention to spread freedom and peace. There is no doubt in my mind that Iraq will be free and democratic and peaceful," Bush said in the Oval Office yesterday (Apr 19, 2004).

If confirmed by the US Senate, the 64-year-old Negroponte would head what might become the largest US embassy in the world in terms of manpower and the most politically sensitive jobs in the world.

Bush also nominated another career diplomat Anne W Patterson to be deputy US representative to the UN and the UN Security Council. The position carries the rank and status of ambassador.