Clinton confirms as US secretary of state

Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in her testimony before a US Senate committee.



The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee conducted the hearing to confirm Mrs. Clinton’s appointment as secretary of state.



Mrs. Clinton said there would be change of policy towards Cuba under President-elect Barack Obama’s administration.



She confirmed the new government would lift the US ban on travel to Cuba.



Mr. Obama has already said he is willing to talk to the government of President Raul Castro in an effort to end 50 years of strained relations since the Cuban revolution.