Obama brings Clinton in from cold

US president-elect Barack Obama made the much-anticipated announcement yesterday that he has asked Hillary Clinton to act as his Secretary of State.

The announcement also confirmed that Robert Gates, an Independent who has served in two Republican administrations, will stay on as Defense Secretary in Obama's Democrat administration.

Putting to one side the bitterness and emnity which marked his relationship with Clinton during the campaign to secure the Democrat nomination for the presidency, Obama said: "I have known Hillary Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and a tough campaign opponent."

Retired Marine commander James Jones is Obama's hawkish choice for national security adviser.