WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush intends to nominate Peter Pace,a general in the Marines, as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

    Pace is expected to replace Richard B. Myers, an air force general, whose term ends in the fall.

    The announcement, expected in the near future, is also likely to include the nomination of Edmund P. Giambastiani, a navy admiral, as the new vice chairman, the report quoted officials as saying.

    Pace, 59, has served as vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs for three and a half years, helping manage the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    If approved by the Senate, Pace will become the first Marine tohold the chairman's job. Enditem