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Trump to announce top diplomat pick Tuesday

By AFP
December 13, 2016

WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump said he will announce his choice to fill the prized post of secretary of state on Tuesday, ending weeks-long speculation over the globally important vacancy.

"I will be making my announcement on the next Secretary of State tomorrow morning," Trump said, using his favored medium, Twitter.

Trump has led a contentious search for America´s next top diplomat, with ExxonMobil president and CEO Rex Tillerson newly tipped as the most likely pick despite concerns over his ties to Russia´s Vladimir Putin.

But the list of contenders includes eight or nine names, including the erstwhile Trump critic and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

The post is the most prestigious outstanding position in Trump´s cabinet in waiting.

Other spots still open are for the heads of the Agriculture, Energy, Interior and Veterans Affairs agencies.