U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday named James Dobbins, a career diplomat, as the new special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"This is a pivotal moment for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with interconnected political, security and economic transitions already underway in Afghanistan, and Pakistani elections just days away, marking an important and historic democratic transition," the top American envoy said in a statement.

He said he has called leaders of the two countries to inform them of his decision.

As the first special envoy for Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in December 2001, Dobbins will take up a post left vacant in December when Marc Grossman stepped down.

American and NATO troops have planned their exit from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 following a bloody and costly war that has entered its 12th year. Washington has been seeking a positive Pakistani role in this process and beyond.

"Given my own history with both countries, and players throughout the region, identifying the right person for this position was a key priority," Kerry said, noting Dobbins will " continue building on diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to a peaceful conclusion, actively engaging with states in the region and the international community."

As the first special envoy, Dobbins represented Washington at the Bonn Conference that helped establish a new Afghan government.

A career foreign service officer, who turned 71 by the end of this month, Dobbins was special envoy for Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Haiti and Somalia under the administrations of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also served as assistant secretary of state for European affairs as well as special assistant to the president for the Western Hemisphere.

He is director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at the Rand Corporation, a think tank in Washington D.C.

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