James Baker named Iraq debt envoy

US President George W Bush has named former Secretary of State James Baker head of efforts to reduce Iraq's debt.

Mr Baker will work with world leaders and organisations and the Iraqi people to lessen the country's debt burden, Mr Bush said in a statement.

"The future of the Iraqi people should not be mortgaged to the enormous burden of debt incurred to enrich Saddam Hussein's regime," Mr Bush added.

The appointment follows a request from the Iraqi Governing Council.