US Senate committee approves Kerry as secretary of state

WASHINGTON:  US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday approved the nomination of Sen. John Kerry as President Barack Obama’s new secretary of state.

The 69-year-old five-term senator from Massachusetts and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee has served on the committee for decades and has served as the panel’s chairman the past four years.

Kerry’s nomination is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate later on Tuesday.

DND