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| John Kerry 'to be nominated for secretary of state' | John Kerry 'to be nominated for secretary of state' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama is to nominate John Kerry to be his next secretary of state, US media report. | US President Barack Obama is to nominate John Kerry to be his next secretary of state, US media report. |
| Mr Kerry would replace Hillary Clinton at the head of the state department, the media quoted senior administration officials as saying. | Mr Kerry would replace Hillary Clinton at the head of the state department, the media quoted senior administration officials as saying. |
| Mr Kerry ran as Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 and is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. | Mr Kerry ran as Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 and is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. |
| His nomination comes after the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, withdrew from consideration last week. | His nomination comes after the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, withdrew from consideration last week. |
| Republicans had fiercely criticised her role in the aftermath of the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in September. | Republicans had fiercely criticised her role in the aftermath of the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in September. |
| They had threatened to block her nomination despite the president's strong defence of her actions. | They had threatened to block her nomination despite the president's strong defence of her actions. |
| Mr Kerry himself had spoken up for Ms Rice, saying: "I've defended her publicly and wouldn't hesitate to do so again because I know her character and I know her commitment. She's an extraordinarily capable and dedicated public servant." | |
| Influential senator | |
| Mr Kerry, 69, would be Mr Obama's first cabinet nomination since he won a second term last month. | Mr Kerry, 69, would be Mr Obama's first cabinet nomination since he won a second term last month. |
| Analysts say Mr Kerry is unlikely to face opposition from Republicans. | Analysts say Mr Kerry is unlikely to face opposition from Republicans. |
| Mr Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, lost a close presidential election to George W Bush in 2004 and had been a contender for the state department in 2008, before Mrs Clinton was chosen. | |
| Mr Kerry has since remained an influential senator, making key trips to Pakistan, Syria and the Gaza Strip. |