US President Barack Obama nominates John Kerry as Secretary of State

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama today nominated veteran Senator John Kerry, known for his relationship-building skills, as his next Secretary of State.

"I am very proud to announce my choice for the Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry," Obama said making a personal announcement at the White House, with Kerry standing by his side along with Vice President Joe Biden.

Obama termed Kerry as "perfect choice" to the post. 69-year-old Kerry, currently the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been a close confidant of Obama on foreign policy issues.

He has decades of foreign policy experience, which has very often been praised by opponents Republicans.

If confirmed, Kerry would replace Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State, who is currently recovering from a severe stomach infection.

Kerry, the senior senator from Massachusetts and the Democratic Party's 2004 presidential nominee, is noted for the experience, gravitas and relationship-building skills that could help him succeed as the United States' top diplomat.

He is expected to easily sail through the Senate confirmation process because of his long serving in the Senate and his good relationship with Republican Senators.

This was Obama's first nomination to his national security term for his second term.

Obama is scheduled to take the oath of his second term on January 21, 2013.

On many occasions, Kerry has come to the rescue of the Obama Administration, especially when it comes to the US ties with Pakistan, wherein he travelled several times to mend the strained relationship including the one in the immediate aftermath of the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

He is also the author of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill that provided more than $7.5 billion in five years to Pakistan.