UNITED STATES

Obama to nominate Loretta Lynch as attorney general

US President Barack Obama has chosen New York federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch to become the next attorney general. She replaces Eric Holder, who is thought to have left because of differences with Republicans.

The nomination of Lynch to lead the Justice Department was expected to formally take place on Saturday in an announcement at the White House.

If confirmed by the Senate, it would make Lynch the first African-American woman to serve in the role as the US's top law enforcement officer.

"Ms. Lynch is a strong, independent prosecutor who has twice led one of the most important US attorney's offices in the country," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement on Friday.

Lynch is the US attorney for Eastern New York and has overseen a number of bank fraud and corruption cases. She was also responsible for the charging of reputed mobster Vincent Asaro and accomplices over the multi-million dollar "Lufthansa Heist" of cash and jewelry from New York's John F. Kennedy airport. The robbery was made famous by its depiction in the Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas.

The 55-year-old would replace outgoing attorney general Eric Holder, who was expected to join Lynch and Obama for the official nomination.

Departure to smooth the wheels

It is believed that Holder offered his resignation in part, to make it easier for Obama to work with the Senate. While Holder is held in high esteem by many on his own side of the aisle, he is disliked by a large number of Republicans who see him as an ideologue.

Holder, who agreed to stay on in the post until a successor was found, is one of just three original members of the cabinet who are still in the job they had immediately after Obama took office in 2009. Only three other US attorney generals have served in the post for longer than Holder.

Initial indications from Republicans who now control the Senate - and who could make things difficult for Obama after mid-term elections that saw the president lose control of the assembly - seemed promising for Lynch.

"Ms. Lynch will receive fair consideration by the Senate. And her nomination should be considered in the new Congress through regular order," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Obama on Friday officially nominated his deputy national security adviser Tony Blinken to become the number two to Secretary of State John Kerry.

rc/bw (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)   dw de