WASHINGTON, May 3: US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday named veteran diplomat James Dobbins to be the new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan at what he called ‘a pivotal moment’ for the two nations.

Mr Dobbins, who has served in difficult posts such as Kosovo, will be taking up a job once held by Richard Holbrooke, Mr Kerry said in a statement.

The post of special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan has been vacant since Marc Grossman stepped down in December.

Mr Grossman had come out of retirement to take the job after Mr Holbrooke’s sudden death in December 2010.

“This is a pivotal moment for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with interconnected political, security, and economic transitions already under way in Afghanistan, and Pakistani elections just days away, marking an important and historic democratic transition,” Mr Kerry said.—AFP