Holder confirmed as US attorney general

Feb 2, 2009, 23:24 GMT

Washington - Eric Holder was confirmed by the US Senate Monday as the country's top law enforcement officer under President Barack Obama, becoming the first African-American attorney general.

Holder, who served as deputy attorney general under former president Bill Clinton, was approved 75-21 by the Senate to lead the US Justice Department. He is one of the last members of President Barack Obama's cabinet to be confirmed.

The centre-right Republican minority had delayed Holder's confirmation, wanting more information on how he would manage Obama's plans to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention centre for suspects in the war on terrorism.

Holder, 58, also faced questions over his role in the controversial pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich in the final days of the Clinton presidency. Holder reviewed presidential pardon requests as deputy attorney general.

About half of the chamber's Republican senators opposed Holder's nomination.

In one of his first acts as president, Obama signed orders last month to shut down Guantanamo within one year. He also banned torture or other abusive techniques during interrogations.

Holder, a former judge and prosecutor, said that he would ensure the country's 'laws and traditions are respected.'

In his confirmation hearing last month, Holder declared that water-boarding - an interrogation method used during the Bush administration that simulates drowning - was a form of torture.

The Justice Department came under fire during the Bush administration for the warrantless wiretapping of terrorism suspects.

'I want an attorney general who stands up for the rule of law and our long-cherished American values,' said Senator Patrick Leahy, the Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee, ahead of Monday's vote.

Holder becomes part of the first Democratic-led team to lead US security efforts since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.