News - Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday named James Cunningham as the new envoy to Afghanistan, replacing Ryan Crocker who resigned two months ago.

Obama also nominated a new envoy to Pakistan, Richard Olson, to replace Cameron Munter who resigned in May.

"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.

"I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years," he said.

Both Cunningham and Olsen have experience in Afghanistan. Cunningham has been US Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan since last year, while Olson served as the Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Kabul for a year from June 2011.

Before his post in Kabul, Cunningham was the US Ambassador to Israel from 2008 to 2011. From 2005 to 2008, he was US Consul General in Hong Kong.

Olsen was US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2011 and US Deputy Chief of Mission at Nato in Brussels from 2006 to 2008.

The move comes as the foreign troops have started security transition to local troops with the aim of withdrawing by 2014.