Obama names new Afghan, Pakistan envoys

Washington, July 18 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has nominated two veteran diplomats to be the next ambassadors to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to a White House statement, Obama named Richard Olson, a former ambassador to the UAE, to serve in Pakistan and James Cunningham, the number two at the US embassy in Kabul, to be the ambassador.

"I am grateful that these talented and dedicated men and women have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people," Obama said in a statement announcing several new postings.

According to the Telegraph, the two men will need confirmation by the Senate.

Outgoing US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter, resigned in May after a turbulent tenure in which US forces secretly killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

ust two weeks after Munter's announcement, the US ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, also said he would leave his post early.

The State Department said he left the stressful job for health reasons. (ANI)