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Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate
(about 2 hours later)
The US Senate has confirmed former Senator Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief, after a bloc of Republicans dropped their opposition to him. The US Senate has confirmed former Senator Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief, after four Republicans joined Democrats to approve his nomination.
The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41 in a simple majority vote.The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41 in a simple majority vote.
Mr Hagel will replace outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta.Mr Hagel will replace outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta.
The Senate move comes 12 days after Republicans delayed a vote, questioning his past positions on Israel and Iran and his qualifications for the post. Earlier this month, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Mr Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post.
But critics dropped the manoeuvre, the first for a defence secretary confirmation, after a week-long recess.But critics dropped the manoeuvre, the first for a defence secretary confirmation, after a week-long recess.
Mr Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Mr Hagel ultimately only needed 51 votes to be confirmed.Mr Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Mr Hagel ultimately only needed 51 votes to be confirmed.
Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment, href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00024" >according to Senate Records. Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment.
'Politically motivated delays''Politically motivated delays'
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Hagel passed a crucial procedural vote that needed the support of 60 senators. After the acrimonious nomination fight, Democratic President Barack Obama said he was pleased there had been at least some bipartisan support for Mr Hagel.
"I am grateful to Chuck for reminding us that when it comes to our national defence, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, and our greatest responsibility is the security of the American people," said Mr Obama.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, passed a crucial procedural vote that needed the support of 60 senators.
Among the sticking points in Mr Hagel's nomination process was a remark he made in a 2008 book that the "Jewish lobby" intimidated decision-makers on Capitol Hill.Among the sticking points in Mr Hagel's nomination process was a remark he made in a 2008 book that the "Jewish lobby" intimidated decision-makers on Capitol Hill.
Republican senators also said they feared the 66-year-old Mr Hagel would be too lax on Iran.Republican senators also said they feared the 66-year-old Mr Hagel would be too lax on Iran.
Ted Cruz, an outspoken conservative first-term senator from Texas, suggested without evidence that Mr Hagel had accepted payments from North Korea.Ted Cruz, an outspoken conservative first-term senator from Texas, suggested without evidence that Mr Hagel had accepted payments from North Korea.
During a confirmation hearing this year, Mr Hagel sought to reassure the Senate armed services committee that he was "fully committed" to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.During a confirmation hearing this year, Mr Hagel sought to reassure the Senate armed services committee that he was "fully committed" to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He also apologised for the "Jewish lobby" comment, saying he could not be defined by any single quote.He also apologised for the "Jewish lobby" comment, saying he could not be defined by any single quote.
Mr Hagel's Democratic Party supporters produced other remarks and evidence they said showed he would stick to existing US policy on Israel and Iran.Mr Hagel's Democratic Party supporters produced other remarks and evidence they said showed he would stick to existing US policy on Israel and Iran.
The White House warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budget challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan. The White House had warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budget challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan.
And Senate Democrats blasted their colleagues for the delay. Senate Democrats had meanwhile blasted their colleagues for the blocking tactics.
"Politically motivated delays send a terrible signal to our allies and to the world," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said."Politically motivated delays send a terrible signal to our allies and to the world," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.
But some Republicans said they needed more time to weigh Mr Hagel's nomination. But some Republicans had said they needed more time to weigh Mr Hagel's nomination.
Others said outright they would not vote for the former Senator, including several senior Republicans on the armed services committee.Others said outright they would not vote for the former Senator, including several senior Republicans on the armed services committee.