COPENHAGEN -- Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen will replace Danish minister Connie Hedegaard as president of the U.N. climate talks for a final summit session, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

"With so many heads of state and government having arrived it's appropriate that the Prime Minister of Denmark presides," Hedegaard told the 193-nation meeting.

"However, the Prime Minister has appointed me as his special representative and I will thus continue to negotiate the ... outcome with my colleagues," she said.

She said the move was procedural. Separately, Hedegaard has been criticised by African nations for favouring rich nations in the negotiations.