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Confirmation hearing for Clinton Clinton pledges to use diplomacy
(about 11 hours later)
Hillary Clinton is to appear in front of the US senate foreign relations committee to be confirmed as the next secretary of state. Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in testimony before a US Senate committee.
Well known on Capitol Hill as a senator from New York and a former first lady, she is not expected to face a tough grilling from her former colleagues. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is conducting a hearing to confirm Mrs Clinton's appointment as secretary of state.
Once a polarising political figure, Mrs Clinton is likely to receive a warm reception, including from Republicans. The former New York Senator has been greeted warmly by her ex-colleagues.
There may well be tough questions about her husband's role and his charity. But they may ask tough questions about conflicts of interest triggered by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Lawmakers will want reassurance that there will be no conflict of interest regarding former President Bill Clinton. Mr Clinton's charitable foundation has received a number of donations from foreign governments and multinational corporations.
Nomination vote 'Smart power'
Mrs Clinton will still have to spend a few hours answering questions from lawmakers on the committee. In her opening statement, Mrs Clinton expressed a desire to strengthen America's relationship with its allies.
A known commodity in the Senate, Mrs Clinton's views on foreign policy appeal to centrists and she will be working for a popular president, so no one expects a tough grilling. "America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America," she said.
On Capitol Hill and around Washington, everybody is eager to learn more about what she and her boss are planning on a wide range of foreign policy issues - from Iran to the Middle East, Russia and Afghanistan. "We must use what has been called 'smart power', the full range of tools at our disposal," she added.
The vote on the nomination is scheduled for Thursday, a sign that the committee's chairman, Senator John Kerry, does not expect there to be any stumbling blocks. "With 'smart power', diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy."
Mrs Clinton will spend a few hours answering questions from lawmakers on the committee.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says Mrs Clinton's views on foreign policy appeal to centrists and she will be working for a popular president, so no-one expects a tough grilling.
Our correspondent says that on Capitol Hill and around Washington, everybody is eager to learn more about what she and her boss are planning on a wide range of foreign policy issues - from Iran to the Middle East, Russia and Afghanistan.
The vote on the nomination is scheduled for Thursday, a sign that the committee's chairman, Sen John Kerry, does not expect there to be any stumbling blocks, she adds.