Donald Trump says will announce secretary of state nomination on Dec 13

President-elect Donald Trump said he will announce his nomination for secretary of state on Tuesday morning (Tuesday night Dec 13, Singapore time).

"I will be making my announcement on the next Secretary of State tomorrow morning," Mr Trump tweeted.

Earlier Fox News, citing unnamed sources, said Mr Trump will name Exxon Mobil chief executive officer Rex Tillerson as secretary of state.

The central question facing MrTillerson if he becomes secretary of state is whether a life-long oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Mr Tillerson, 64, got his start as a production engineer atExxonin 1975 and has worked there ever since, running business units in Yemen, Thailand and Russia before being named chief executive in 2006. He was expected to retire next year.

Senior senators, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over Mr Tillerson, who emerged this weekend as Mr Trump’s expected pick for secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the situation.

By choosing him, the President-elect would add another – and presumably highly influential – person to his Cabinet and circle of advisers who may favour a soft line towards Moscow.

The other candidates being considered for the post include2012 Republican presidential nominee MittRomney.

(THE STRAITS TIMES)