The US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mr Richard Haass, is due to arrive in London this morning on what is likely to be his last round of talks with all sides in the Northern Ireland peace process as a representative of the Bush administration.
A decision is to be taken later this month on whether Mr Haass will continue as special presidential envoy to Northern Ireland and if not, who his replacement will be, a State Department official said yesterday.
Mr Haass is expected to have discussions with the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, in London today before travelling on to Belfast to meet party leaders and then to Dublin for a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, tomorrow afternoon.