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Senate panel approves John Kerry as secretary of state US Senate approves John Kerry as secretary of state
(about 4 hours later)
The US Senate foreign relations committee has unanimously approved Senator John Kerry's nomination to be secretary of state. The US Senate has approved Senator John Kerry's nomination as secretary of state, after he was backed unanimously by the foreign relations committee.
The full Senate is expected to confirm his nomination later on Tuesday. His confirmation after a 94-3 vote was met with applause on the Senate floor.
President Barack Obama chose the Massachusetts Democrat to succeed Hillary Clinton, who is stepping down after four years, as his top diplomat.President Barack Obama chose the Massachusetts Democrat to succeed Hillary Clinton, who is stepping down after four years, as his top diplomat.
A Vietnam veteran and senator since 1985, Sen Kerry was the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.A Vietnam veteran and senator since 1985, Sen Kerry was the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.
He first came to national attention as part of his involvement with Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Sen Kerry, 69, first came to national attention as part of his involvement with Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
He served on the Senate foreign relations committee himself for 28 years, and chaired it for four.He served on the Senate foreign relations committee himself for 28 years, and chaired it for four.
Sen Kerry's nomination is part of Mr Obama's second-term cabinet reshuffle. His nomination is part of Mr Obama's second-term cabinet reshuffle.
He was proposed after the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, withdrew from consideration in December. Sen Kerry was put forward after the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, withdrew from consideration in December.
Republicans had fiercely criticised her role in the aftermath of the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2012. Republicans had fiercely criticised her response to last September's deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
Former Senator Chuck Hagel, Mr Obama's pick for secretary of defense, will face a confirmation hearing later this week.Former Senator Chuck Hagel, Mr Obama's pick for secretary of defense, will face a confirmation hearing later this week.