WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi is expected to be named to replace Kofi Annan as the U.N.-Arab League joint special envoy for Syria barring a last-minute change, diplomats said on Thursday.

The diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an announcement could come as early as next week but they also warned that there are sometimes last-minute changes if a key government has concerns or the candidate himself has misgivings.

(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler)