UNITED NATIONS (AP) Secretary-General Kofi Annan has selected former President Clinton to be the U.N. point man for tsunami reconstruction and ensure that the world doesn't forget the immense needs of the countries devastated by the Dec. 26 disaster, a U.N. diplomat said Tuesday.

U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard refused to confirm the appointment, but said his office would release a statement later Tuesday. Clinton's office had no immediate comment.

Annan wants to appoint a special envoy not only to focus on the cleanup and reconstruction but to try to make progress on resolving conflicts with rebels in the two worst-hit countries Indonesia and Sri Lanka, Eckhard said.

The U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the appointment of Clinton as Annan's top envoy for the rehabilitation of tsunami-devastated countries would expand on the former president's efforts to raise money in the United States.

Soon after the disaster, President Bush named Clinton and his father, President George H.W. Bush, to head a nationwide private fund-raising effort to help countries devastated by tsunamis across the Indian Ocean to Africa. The deadly wall of water killed more than 160,000 people and displaced millions of others in 11 countries.

The two ex-presidents have been traveling throughout the country raising money, and the elder Bush said last week they hope to go to the region to illustrate the need for continued financial help from Americans. He did not say when.