Rice confirmed as secretary of state

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (AFP) - The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Condoleezza Rice as US secretary of state to replace Colin Powell.
The Senate voted 85-13 to approve the nomination of Rice, national security adviser to President George W. Bush and one of his closest aides, after a long debate on her role in Iraq policy.
The 13 "no" votes registered by Democrats were a record for a nominated secretary of state. Henry Kissinger drew seven nays in 1973 and Alexander Haig was opposed by six senators in 1981.

01/26/2005 17:17 GMT - AFP