World News joined 0008

[John]

Barack Obama has named former rival Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State.
The President said Robert Gates would stay on as Defence Secretary as part of a national security team charged with recasting America's leadership of world affairs.

Mrs Clinton and Mr Gates, who have been at odds with Mr Obama in the past over foreign policy and defence issues, will implement his vision of rebuilding the US image abroad and oversee two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Obama said: "I assembled this team because I am a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions. I think that's how the best decisions are made."

In a swipe at George W Bush's unilateral approach to foreign policy, Senator Clinton said: "While we are determined to defend our freedoms and liberties at all costs, we also reach out to the world again, seeking common cause and higher ground."

Mr Obama also named retired Marine General James Jones as national security adviser and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as head of homeland security.

Former Justice Department official Eric Holder will be the new attorney general and Susan Rice, an Obama foreign policy adviser, the US ambassador to the UN.

Mr Gates has been praised by Democrats and Republicans since taking over the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld in 2006 and will provide continuity while the US fights wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Obama wants to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office, but Mr Gates has argued against setting timetables and a quick pullout, saying it could jeopardise security gains made over the past year.

Mrs Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, has agreed to make public the names of more than 200,000 donors to his foundation as part of a deal to clear the way for his wife to become secretary of state.

He decided to publish his contributor lists to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest with his wife's duties as secretary of state.

-Yahoo.

[JohnCenaFan28]

Thanks for the news.