EX-CIA chief Mike Pompeo confirmed as secretary of state

The US Senate has confirmed former CIA director Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, ending a tough confirmation battle.

Mr Pompeo had been accused by Democrats of being a war hawk and harbouring anti-Muslim and homophobic views.

The Senate voted 57-42 to approve him as America’s top diplomat, the second of the Trump presidency.

His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, was sacked last month by the president via Twitter amid a personality clash.

Republican senators, who control the upper chamber, voted unanimously on Thursday to confirm Mr Pompeo. Six Democrats joined them.

Some of those Democrats – including North Dakota’s Heidi Heitkamp and West Virginia’s Joe Manchin – come from conservative-leaning states where Mr Trump won in 2016, and are facing tough midterm elections in November.

The approval comes in time for Mr Pompeo to lead a US delegation to Nato foreign minister talks in Brussels this weekend.

He is expected to depart for the trip only hours after being formally confirmed.

He has been arranging a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader in the coming months.

According to Israeli media, he is also expected to travel there next week to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.