John Kerry likely to be next US secretary of state

United States President Barack Obama is likely to nominate Senator John Kerry as his next secretary of state, according to media reports.

Kerry, currently the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations committee, has been a close confidant of Obama on foreign policy issues.

The announcement for nomination of the Massachusetts Senator for the post of secretary of state is expected to come as early as next week.

In 2004, Kerry was nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate and lost to then President George W Bush.

If confirmed by the Senate, Kerry would replace Hillary Clinton, who will leave the post by the end of the first term of the Obama administration, which is on January 20.

Clinton, who has been suffering from a stomach infection, on Saturday fainted and sustained a concussion.

Her spokesperson said she would work from home till she recovers completely.

"While suffering from a stomach virus, Secretary Clinton became dehydrated and fainted, sustaining a concussion. She has been recovering at home and will continue to be monitored regularly by her doctors," said her close aide Philippe Reines

Media reports said Obama made up his mind to nominate Kerry as his next secretary of sate after his first choice Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew herself from being considered for the post.