The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Leon Panetta's nomination to be Defense Secretary, hailing his successes as CIA chief just as major challenges await him in Afghanistan and Libya.

According to AFP, all 100 members of the Senate approved the nomination of Panetta, a rare move of unanimity for a federal government official.

The incoming defense chief will have to oversee a troubled war in Afghanistan, the withdrawal of the remaining American troops from Iraq, and U.S. involvement in the NATO-led Libya campaign.

But lawmakers hailed his role in tracking down and eliminating Osama bin Laden, killed in a dramatic U.S. commando raid last month deep in Pakistan.