John Kerry 'to be nominated for US secretary of state'

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 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. Republicans had fiercely criticised her role in the aftermath of the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in September.

Mr Kerry, 69, would be Mr Obama's first new cabinet nomination since he won a second term last month. The president will also have to name a new defence secretary to replace Leon Panetta, and a new director of the CIA to take over from David Petreaus, who quit last month after admitting an affair.

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. Mrs Clinton has indicated she will step down early next year. Mr Kerry will have to give up his seat in the Senate, where he represents Massachusetts. The Democrats may face a tough battle to keep it in the subsequent election.