Rafeeuddin Ahmed "hopes to get a clearer picture of the coalition's thinking on post-conflict Iraq as part of his ongoing work for the secretary general," the office said in a statement Friday.

Annan formally announced on Monday the appointment of the Pakistani diplomat, a former UN assistant secretary general, as his special envoy on Iraq.

"His role will be ... thinking about the future, thinking about what is likely to happen and what the likely UN role will be," Annan said.

A State Department official confirmed that Ahmed would be in Washington on Monday morning but could not say who he would meet.

He was not, however, expected to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the official said.

SPACE.WIRE