WASHINGTON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush will nominate Anne Patterson, U.S. Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the Department of State, to become U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Previously, Patterson has served important posts including U.S. ambassador to Colombia and deputy U.S. envoy to the United Nations.

    Patterson, whose nomination will have to be approved by the Senate, will replace Ryan Crocker, who is now U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

    Pakistan has been a strong U.S. ally in the U.S.-launched war against terrorism.