US President Barack Obama has nominated veteran Senator John Kerry, as the next Secretary of State, replacing Hillary Clinton. He made this announcement personally at the White House, with Kerry standing by his side along with Vice President Joe Biden.

69-year-old Kerry, known for his relationship-building skills and currently the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been a close confidant of Obama on foreign policy issues.

He represents Massachusetts as Senator and the Democratic Party's 2004 presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton is currently recovering from a severe stomach infection.