Khalilzad Departs Iraq After Nearly Two Years as Ambassador

Zalmay Khalilzad wrapped up his 21-month tenure as US ambassador to Iraq on Monday evening, the American embassy in Baghdad confirmed. The 55-year-old Afghan-born diplomat had held the post since June 2005.

During his time in Baghdad, Khalilzad was central to drafting the new Iraqi constitution and assembling the country's governing coalition. President Bush has nominated him to serve as US ambassador to the United Nations.

Senate confirmation would put Khalilzad in the seat vacated by John Bolton, who stepped down in December 2006 after Congress refused to endorse him. Both men are associated with the neo-conservative foreign policy circles widely linked to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2007, in its own words.