United Nations diplomats say Algeria's former foreign minister, Lakhdar Brahimi, is expected to be named as the new UN-Arab League envoy to Syria -- replacing outgoing envoy Kofi Annan, whose resignation takes effect on August 31.
UN diplomats say an official announcement about Brahimi's appointment is expected early next week unless Brahimi rejects the post.
Brahimi was the UN envoy in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, and in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
With the failure of Annan's six-month campaign to get Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to carry out his six-point peace plan, there is now debate among key UN members over the role of the new envoy.
UN diplomats say the UN Security Council also must decide whether to stick with Annan's plan.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP and AFP