WASHINGTON: The “overwhelming bipartisan” support for John Kerry in the Senate will help him guide American diplomacy in the years ahead, says US President Barack Obama.

The US Senate confirmed Mr Kerry, who headed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before his elevation, by a vote of 94-3. Only three Republicans senators, Ted Cruz, Jim Inhofe, and John Cornyn opposed him. Current US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is completing her term on Friday when Mr Kerry will succeed her.

“From his decorated service in Vietnam to his decades in the Senate as a champion of American global leadership, John’s distinguished career has prepared him to guide American diplomacy in the years ahead,” said Mr Obama while commenting on the confirmation. The president noted that Mr Kerry had earned the respect of leaders around the world and the confidence of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.

Mr Obama had earlier selected his ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, for this post but the Republicans strongly opposed her possible nomination. Although the Democrats have a majority in the Senate, Mr Obama withdrew her and instead nominated Mr Kerry.