UNITED NATIONS: After the withdrawal of United States UNAmbassador Susan Rice from consideration to become next US Secretary of State most diplomats here believe that the prospect of Senator John Kerry becoming the next top diplomat of US have become brighter than ever.

Kerry, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been considered a leading contender for the post along with Rice.

With current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton set to step down before Jan 20, President Obama is looking at a revamp of his national security headed into his second term.

The CIA slot is also open — due to David Petraeus sex scandal — and there are reports that Defence Secretary Leon Panetta may retire sooner rather than later. Former Sen Chuck Hagel is said to be in line for the next Pentagon head replacing Panetta.

Obama's team hasn't said much about second term personnel openings, so there could be a mystery candidate who has received less attention.

Senator Kerry — the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee — has already played a large role in Obama's political life.

It was Senator Kerry who picked Obama, then an Illinois legislator seeking a US Senate seat, to give the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention. That speech launched Obama's national political career.

When Obama sought the presidency in 2008, Kerry endorsed him at a key moment — after Obama lost the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Rodham Clinton.