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New US defence secretary sworn in New US defence secretary sworn in
(10 minutes later)
Robert Gates has been sworn in as US defence secretary in a private event at the White House. Robert Gates has been sworn in as US defence secretary in a private event at the White House in Washington.
A public swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon, to be attended by President George W Bush, will be held later.A public swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon, to be attended by President George W Bush, will be held later.
Mr Gates replaces Donald Rumsfeld, the chief architect of the war in Iraq who resigned last month amid heavy criticism of his policy. Mr Gates, 63, replaces Donald Rumsfeld, the chief architect of the war in Iraq who resigned last month amid heavy criticism of his policy.
Mr Gates takes office amid a wide-ranging administration review of its approach to the war.
Mr Bush said last week he would wait until January to announce his new strategy, to give his new defence chief a chance to offer advice.
'Deteriorating situation'
Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Colin Powell has said overstretched US troops are losing the conflict in Iraq.Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Colin Powell has said overstretched US troops are losing the conflict in Iraq.
Mr Powell told CBS News that bolstering troop numbers would be unlikely to reverse the "grave and deteriorating situation" in the country.Mr Powell told CBS News that bolstering troop numbers would be unlikely to reverse the "grave and deteriorating situation" in the country.
President Bush is trying to shape a new strategy for Iraq, with officials suggesting more soldiers may be sent. At a confirmation hearing in the Senate earlier this month, Mr Gates said the US was not winning the war in Iraq, and that he was open to new policy ideas.
At a confirmation hearing in the Senate earlier this month, Mr Gates said the US was not winning the war in Iraq and said he was open to new policy ideas. Mr Gates served as CIA director from 1991 until 1993, during the administration of Mr Bush's father.
Mr Bush accepted Mr Rumsfeld's resignation after November mid-elections in which the Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Public discontent over the conduct of the Iraq war was seen as a major factor in the defeat.