  U.S. Senate confirms Hagel as new Pentagon chief February 27, 2013 - 09:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Senator Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief, after four Republicans joined Democrats to approve his nomination, BBC News reported. The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41. Hagel will replace outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who was confirmed by 100-0 in June 2011. Two weeks ago, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post. But they dropped the filibuster stalling tactic, the first time it has ever been used to delay confirmation of a defense secretary, after a week-long recess. President Barack Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Hagel ultimately only needed 51 votes to be confirmed. Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favor of Hagel's appointment. After the acrimonious nomination fight, President Obama said he was pleased there had been at least some bipartisan support for Hagel. "I am grateful to Chuck for reminding us that when it comes to our national defense, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, and our greatest responsibility is the security of the American people," said Obama. Partner news  Top stories Jorge Rafael Videla, an austere former army commander, led Argentina during the bloodiest days of its Dirty War dictatorship. According to the United Nations, April was Iraq's bloodiest month for almost five years, with 712 people killed. Reports suggest the rebel fighters may have tried to blow up the walls of the prison, which holds some 4,000 inmates. Moscow has condemned other nations for supporting rebel forces and failing to condemn what it describes as terrorist attacks on the Syrian regime.   Partner news |  Latest news Artsakh President attends Berdzor town 21st anniv. liberation events  Bako Sahakyan noted the liberation of Berdzor town as an important military, political and psychological victory.Weekly digest of foreign currency deals Deals amounting to USD 12,800,000 at an average price of 416.75 /USD 1 were concluded at NASDAQ OMX Armenia.200 Azeri ceasefire violations reported May 12-18 200 ceasefire violations by the Azeri armed forces were reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.Serzh Sargsyan reelected as Armenian Chess Federation president Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was reelected to the post of the president of RA Chess Federation for 4 more years. |
