The US Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously endorsed John Kerry’s nomination for the next secretary of state, as President Barack Obama prepares to install a new national security team for his second term in the White House. Kerry, a pro-Pakistan voice in the Capitol Hill, will replace the current secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, upon full Senate confirmation, expected swiftly on Tuesday.
The five-term senator and a long time chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, advocated fostering strong relations with Pakistan in view of the country’s critical significance vis-à-vis Washington’s efforts for peace and stability in the region and success of the ongoing security transition in neighbouring Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman, who has been working to present Pakistan’s position on various issues, congratulated Senator Kerry on his confirmation for the top diplomatic job. “We all look forward to working with him and his team at a time of challenging transitions for the region,” she said.
