DHAKA: The US Senate confirmed Jeh Johnson, a national security expert who has served as the Pentagon`s top lawyer, as head of the US department of homeland security.

Johnson, who was the defence department`s general counsel during Barack Obama`s first term as president, will succeed Janet Napolitano, who left in September to become the president of the University of California system, reports The Guardian.

The Senate on Monday approved Johnson on a vote of 78-16 as part of a raft of confirmations pushed forward after a recent rule change stripped Republicans of their power to block nominees with a procedural roadblock known as a filibuster.

Obama said in a statement he was pleased that Johnson was confirmed with broad bipartisan support.

"Jeh will play a leading role in our efforts to protect the homeland against terrorist attacks, adapt to changing threats, stay prepared for natural disasters, strengthen our border security, and make our immigration system fairer – while upholding the values, civil liberties, and laws that make America great," he said.

The Senate also confirmed Anne Patterson, the US ambassador to Egypt, as an assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs. Like Johnson, she was approved by a vote of 78-16.

The Senate is also expected this week to confirm Janet Yellen as chair of the Federal Reserve. Yellen is the Fed`s vice-chair.

BDST: 0848  HRS, DEC 18, 2013
RS